Cerebral Palsy & Hypoxic-ischaemic Encephalopathy Flashcards
Categorising cerebral palsy
- spastic
- dyskinetic
- ataxic
- mixed
Brain regions affected in each type of cerebral palsy
Pyramidal:
- spastic -> cortex
Extrapyramidal:
- dyskinetic -> basal ganglia
- ataxic -> cerebellum
Spastic cerebral palsy
- pyramidal, upper motorneurons, cortex
- scissor gate
- stiff limbs
- toes walk
- hemiplegia, paraplegia, quadriplegia
- most common
Clinical signs in spastic cerebral palsy
- scissor gate
- stiff limbs
- toe walking
Ataxic cerebral palsy
- extrapyramidal, cerebellum
- entire body involved
- reduced balance & coordination
- wide gait
Clinical features of ataxic cerebral palsy
- reduced balance and coordination
- wide gait
Dyskinetic cerebral palsy
- extrapyramidal, basal ganglia
- entire body affected
- uncontrolled movements & dystonia
- chorea
Clinical features of dyskinetic cerebral palsy
- uncontrolled movements, chorea
- dystonia
Aetiology of cerebral palsy
Pre-natal & post-natal
Pre-natal:
- radiation
- infection
- hypoxia
Post-natal:
- head trauma
- infection
- hypoxia
Cerebral palsy & hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
Static (non-progressive) encephalopathy (brain damage)
General features of cerebral palsy
Not including specific movement disorders
- pain (from tight muscles, abnormal posture, stiff joints)
- sleep disorders
- eating, speaking, & communication difficulties
- visual problems
- learning disabilities
Managing cerebral palsy
MDT approach
Physio, orthotic braces
Muscle relaxants, botox
Surgeries
Pyramidal tract
Responsible for voluntary movement of individual muscles
Signs of upper motor neuron lesion
- preserved muscle bulk
- hypertonia
- reduced power (minimal)
- brisk reflex
Signs of lower motor neuron lesion
- reduced muscle bulk
- hypotonia
- reduced power (significant)
- reduced reflexes
