Cerebral Palsy and other developmental problems

Question 1

What is cerebral palsy? What is the cause of cerebral palsy?

Answer 1

Cerebral Palsy is a disorder of movement and posture caused by a permanent, non-progressive lesion in the developing brain.

Question 2

What is the most common form of cerebral palsy?

Answer 2

Spastic cerebral palsy

Question 3

When is cerebral palsy usually diagnosed?

Answer 3

Cerebral palsy can only be diagnosed after 1 year of age.

Question 4

What are the features that may lead to the diagnosis of cerebral palsy?

Answer 4

Abnormalities of tone: Initially, the tone may be reduced but will develop into spasticity

Delay in motor development: Marked head lag, delays in sitting and rolling over

Abnormal patterns of development: Movements are not only delayed but also abnormal in quality.

Persistence of primitive reflexes: such as the grasp and Moro reflex

Question 5

What conditions is quadriplegia cerebral palsy involved with?

Answer 5

High associated with learning disabilities and fits, swallowing difficulties and gastro-oesophageal reflux