Cerebral Palsy Flashcards
Pathogenesis of cerebral palsy
non-progressive CNS lesion sustained <2yrs leading to:
- delayed motor development
- evolving CNS signs
- hearing impairment
- epilepsy
- LD
Antenatal causes of cerebral palsy (3)
(80% of causes)
vascular occlusion, cortical migration disorders or structural maldevelopment
Genetic syndromes
congenital infection: rubella, CMV, toxoplasmosis
peri-natal causes of cerebral palsy
hypoxic-ischaemic damage during pregnancy>peri-ventricular leucomalacia
post-natal causes of cerebral palsy (6)
meningitis/encephalitis/encephalopathy
head trauma
intra-ventricular haemorrhage
symptomatic hypoglycaemia
hydrocephalus
kernicterus
Features of cerebral palsy (7)
abnormal tone/posture
abnormal gate
delayed milestones
difficulty feeding
slow head growth
delayed speech
asymmetrical hand function/hand preference <18mo
Types of cerebral palsy (3)
spastic-90%
dyskinetic/athetoid
ataxic
Pathology and general features of spastic cerebral palsy (2)
damage to pyramidal pathways>pyramidal weakness
hypertonia, hyperreflexia, clasp knife, flexed hip and elbow, ankle plantar flexion
Features of spastic hemiplegia (2)
arm>leg
early hand preference
Features of spastic quadriplegia (4)
most severe form
assoc. w. seizures
poor swallow>aspiration pneumonia
legs>arms
Features of spastic monoplegia
paralysis of 1 limb-usually arm
Features of spastic diplegia (2)
assoc. w. periventricular damage/haemorrhage
scissor walking
Features of dyskinetic/athetoid cerebral palsy (3)
basal ganglia dmg. from kernicterus
choreiform movements
relatively intellectually unimpaired
Features of ataxic cerebral palsy (3)
rare
genetically determined
uncoordinated movements and intention tremor
