Cerebral Palsy

Question 1

Types of CP

Answer 1

• Spastic CP (70-80%)
• Dyskinetic CP (10-15%)
• Ataxic CP (5-10%)
• Mixed CP

Question 2

Spastic CP (70-80%)

Answer 2

Caused by damage to the motor cortex or pyramidal tracts, leading to stiff, tight muscles (spasticity) and difficulty with voluntary movements.

Question 3

Dyskinetic CP (10-15%)

Answer 3

Due to damage to the basal ganglia, resulting in uncontrolled, involuntary movements, such as twisting or writhing (dystonia, chorea).

Question 4

Ataxic CP (5-10%)

Answer 4

Caused by damage to the cerebellum, leading to poor balance, coordination, and tremors.

Question 5

Risk factors for cerebral palsy

Answer 5

• Prematurity: Being born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
• Low Birth Weight: Weighing less than 2.5 kg (about 5.5 pounds) at birth.
• Multiple Gestation: Being part of a multiple pregnancy, like twins or triplets.
• Infections: Infections in the mother or baby during pregnancy.
• Brain Malformation: Abnormal development of the baby’s brain.
• Genetic Causes: Genetic issues that affect brain development.

Question 6

Common signs of CP 3-6 Months

Answer 6

• Feels stiff or rigid.
• Feels unusually floppy.
• Head falls back when picked up from a lying (supine) position.
• Overextends back and neck when cradled in a caregiver’s arms.
• Legs become stiff or appear to “scissor” when lifted.

Question 7

Common signs of CP Older than 6 Months

Answer 7

• Inability to roll over in either direction.
• Difficulty bringing hands together.
• Reaches with one hand while keeping the other hand fisted.
• Struggles to bring hands to the mouth.

Question 8

Common signs of CP Older than 10 Months

Answer 8

• Scoots on buttocks or hops on knees without crawling on all fours.
• Exhibits an uneven, lopsided crawl.

Question 9

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Answer 9

• Hypertonicity
• Lack of muscle coordination when performing voluntary movements (ataxia)
• Stiff or tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity)
• Weakness in one or more arm or leg
• Walking on the toes, a crouched gait, or a “scissored” gait
• Variations in muscle tone, either too stiff or too floppy
• Shaking (tremor) or random involuntary movements
• Delays in reaching motor skill milestones
• Difficulty with precise movements such as writing or buttoning a shirt

Question 10

Common Comorbidities in Cerebral Palsy (Paul et al. 2022):

Answer 10

• Pain: 75%
• Intellectual Disability: 50%
• Gait Disorders: 33%
• Hip Displacements: 33%
• Speech Problems: 25%
• Epilepsy: 25%
• Incontinence: 85%
• Behavioral Disorders: 25%
• Sleep Disorders: 40%
• Hearing Impairments: 9%
• Vision Impairments: 10%
• Cognitive Impairments: 77%
• Thyroid Dysfunction: 3%
• Gastrointestinal Disturbances: 2%