What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a muscle tone, posture, movement, balance, and coordination disorder caused by an injury to the developing brain. It could be linked to epilepsy, abnormalities of speech, vision, intellect, behavior, and so on, in addition to motor concerns.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
The most widely accepted cause is getting an injury in the early phase of brain development or any malformation in the brain. The other reasons are:
- Brain infections
- Hypoxia
Hemorrhage
- Kernicterus
- Jaundice or metabolic problem leading to brain damage in early years
- Genetic or hereditary
Signs of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy can be identified from a very early age. Hence you can start the intervention right away.
In Infants
- When the baby’s legs are tight and movement is rigid or when the limbs are too loose and show no strength, it may indicate the condition.
In Toddlers
- The child is using only one part of the body. For example, using only one hand to reach for things.
- The child is walking on toes rather than full feet.
Other Symptoms Irrespective of Age
- The child does not get proper sleep and cries excessively.
- Frequently jerking movements or getting seizures.
Types of Cerebral Palsy
Plastic diplopia: There is a tightness in the motion of limbs. Legs are more affected than arms. It is characterized by scissoring of lower limbs in babies that make it difficult to change diapers or drag the lower limbs while crawling.
Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: Hemiplegia refers to paralysis affecting one vertical portion of the body. The child will experience weakness on one side of the body. Since birth, the child prefers using one side more than the other side. It is observed mainly when the child begins walking with the weaker side dragging. The injury may have happened during birth.
Dystonia: Affected babies have poor head control, and have variable tone and rigidity. The intellect is preserved, but their speech is affected. Kernicterus (due to high bilirubin levels) or near-total intrapartum asphyxia are the causes.
Spastic Quadriplegia: It refers to the inability to use one’s entire body. It is the most severe form of cerebral palsy, characterized by severe impairment of all limbs. Symptoms include seizures, vision and hearing problems, swallowing problems, recurrent pneumonia, and drooling.
Treatment at GSS Kids
Cerebral Palsy may not have a cure but we help you manage the symptoms to improve the child’s capabilities. Therapists and strong support teams for specialized care are well equipped to handle such cases. GSS Kids provides 360-degree support for children with cerebral palsy and their parents. The treatment strategies are multidisciplinary which are decided only after thorough evaluation. Therapists and strong support teams for specialized and well-equipped to handle such cases.
- Therapies utilized are physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
- Surgical interventions may be required to correct anatomical abnormalities or to release tight muscles.
- Consequently, we will use orthopedic devices like braces to support the child from mobilization.
- Medications can be used for controlling symptoms like seizures.