The signs of cerebral palsy usually appear in the first few months of life, but many children are not diagnosed until age 2 or later. In general, early signs of cerebral palsy include 1 , 2 :. Children without cerebral palsy may show some of these signs. In general, early signs of cerebral palsy include 1 , 2 : Developmental delays.
This provider will take care of your child's routine health care and also help you coordinate care with other doctors. Taking care of a child with cerebral palsy can feel overwhelming at times. Not only do kids with CP need a lot of attention at home, they also need to go to many medical visits and therapies.
Don't be afraid to say yes when someone asks, "Can I help? To feel less alone and to connect with others who are facing the same challenges, find a local or online support group.
You also can get information and support from CP organizations, such as:. Staying strong and healthy is not only good for you, but also for your child and your whole family. Living with cerebral palsy is different for every child. To help your child move and learn as much as possible, work closely with your care team to develop a treatment plan. Then, as your child grows and their needs change, adjust the plan as needed.
Reviewed by: M. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Cerebral Palsy? There are different types of CP. Some people have one type, or a mix of: spastic cerebral palsy , which causes stiffness and trouble moving dyskinetic athetoid cerebral palsy , which causes uncontrolled movements ataxic cerebral palsy , which causes a problem with balance and depth perception judging the distance between two objects There is no cure for CP, but a child's quality of life can improve with: treatment that may involve medicine or surgery therapy, including physical therapy , occupational therapy , and speech therapy special equipment to help kids get around and communicate with others Cerebral palsy does not get worse over time.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy? Brain damage also can happen from: lead poisoning bacterial meningitis poor blood flow to the brain being shaken as an infant shaken baby syndrome an injury from an accident like a car accident In rare cases, CP happens after a problem during childbirth.
How Is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed? You and your family and friends can help your child reach his or her highest potential. Focus on your child's strengths. And build self-esteem by helping your child learn to do things by himself or herself.
Each person with CP has unique strengths and areas of difficulty. But most people who have CP need ongoing help with:. As your child approaches the teen years and young adulthood, be aware of his or her changing needs.
Learn to change your routines as your child with CP grows and develops. For example, you may not be able to continue caring for a severely affected child who is growing tall and heavy.
Try to plan ahead for the time when your grown child with CP is not under your care. Preparing your child for adulthood takes careful planning. It also requires patience and resourcefulness on your part. Older adults with CP may need extra help preparing for retirement. Medicines can help control some of the symptoms of cerebral palsy CP , prevent or minimize complications, and treat other medical conditions related to CP. Muscle relaxants antispasmodics are the most common medicines used for people who have CP.
They can help relax tight muscles and reduce muscle spasms. Most antispasmodics are taken by mouth. Some are injected directly into stiff or spastic muscles.
Examples include:. Anticonvulsants help prevent or control seizures. These include:. Anticholinergics help some people who have CP who have uncontrollable body movements dystonic cerebral palsy or who drool often. Stool softeners and mild laxatives may help treat constipation, which is a common complaint of people who have CP.
Some doctors believe that oral antispasmodic medicines should not be given to growing children. They are concerned that side effects from these medicines can cause problems for children that are worse than the tight muscles and muscle spasms related to CP.
For example, drowsiness is a side effect that may interfere with a child's ability to concentrate and learn in school. Other doctors believe that the benefits of these medicines outweigh the risk of side effects.
Ask your doctor the following questions about any medicine prescribed for your child:. See the new medicine information form for more questions to ask. Surgery for people who have cerebral palsy CP may help reduce muscle stiffness or spasms and allow more flexibility and control of the affected limbs and joints.
A thorough checkup is needed to help the doctor find out which muscles and nerves are affected and what type of surgery would best treat the condition. A gait analysis may be part of the examination. Doctors don't agree about the best age for children to have surgery for cerebral palsy. Some may suggest surgery at a young age, while others may suggest other treatments before surgery.
Use this surgery information form to help you decide what's right for your child. Surgery isn't used nearly as often for the arms as for the legs. Surgery on arm deformities carries more risks related to sensory damage.
Sometimes medicine or physiotherapy is used to postpone or prevent the need for surgery. The type of therapy and special equipment needed after surgery such as braces, casts, and splints depends on the child's specific needs. Most children need physiotherapy after surgery. In general, post-surgical physiotherapy usually starts as soon as possible and may continue for as long as 6 months.
Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: Susan C. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Top of the page. Topic Overview What is cerebral palsy? What causes cerebral palsy? It can be caused by: Problems from being born too early premature birth.
Not getting enough blood, oxygen, or other nutrients before or during birth. A serious head injury. A serious infection that can affect the brain, such as meningitis. Some problems passed from parent to child genetic conditions that affect brain development. What are the symptoms? How is cerebral palsy diagnosed?
How is it treated? What can you do to cope? Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Actionsets are designed to help people take an active role in managing a health condition.
Cause Cerebral palsy CP is a result of an injury to the brain or abnormal development of the brain. Possible causes of CP during pregnancy or birth can include genetic problems, infections or health problems in the mother or baby during pregnancy, or problems related to labour and delivery. Health problems in a newborn, such as untreated low blood sugar, can also cause brain damage that leads to CP.
Possible causes of CP related to an early birth premature birth are related to the brain's development. For example, babies born too early are at risk for bleeding in the brain. Possible causes of CP within the first 2 or 3 years of life are usually related to brain damage from a serious illness, injury, or lack of oxygen to the brain.
Symptoms When cerebral palsy CP is severe, signs are often noticed at birth or shortly after birth. Common signs of severe CP that may be noticed shortly after birth include: Problems sucking and swallowing. A weak or shrill cry. Unusual positions. Often the baby's body is either very relaxed and floppy or very stiff.
Signs that occur over time Some problems related to CP become more clear over time. These may include: Smaller muscles in the affected arms or legs. Nervous system problems prevent movement in the affected arms and legs. Not being active affects how the muscles grow. Abnormal sensations. Some people who have CP feel pain when touched lightly. Even everyday activities, such as brushing teeth, may hurt. Abnormal sensations can also make it hard to identify common objects by touch.
Skin irritation. Drooling is common when facial and throat muscles are affected. Drooling irritates the skin, particularly around the mouth, chin, and chest. Dental problems. Children who have trouble brushing their teeth have a greater risk of getting cavities and gum disease gingivitis. Seizure medicines may also lead to gum disease. Falls and other injuries are a risk, depending on muscle control, joint stiffness, and general physical strength.
And CP-related seizures can cause injuries. What Happens All people who have cerebral palsy CP have some problems with body movement and posture. How CP may affect your child How much a child is able to move around and do things depends on the type of CP the child has and how much of his or her body is affected.
Living with CP Just like people who have normal physical development, people who have CP have social and emotional concerns throughout their lives. What Increases Your Risk Risk factors before birth Babies born to teen mothers or to mothers age 35 and older have a higher risk for cerebral palsy CP. These problems may include: Infections, such as rubella , cytomegalovirus infection CMV , chorioamnionitis, and toxoplasmosis.
Exposure to certain medicines, such as thyroid hormones, estrogen, or methotrexate. Use of alcohol or illegal drugs. Other problems, such as bleeding in the uterus during the sixth to ninth month of pregnancy, large amounts of protein in the urine proteinuria , or high blood sugar levels.
Premature birth and low birth weight About half of all children who have cerebral palsy CP are born prematurely. Risk factors for cerebral palsy at birth In rare cases, some babies develop CP as a result of complications during the mother's pregnancy or at birth. Risk factors include: Premature birth. Premature babies are more likely to have bleeding in the brain intraventricular hemorrhage, or IVH or a brain injury called periventricular leukomalacia PVL.
Either of these problems may cause CP. Difficult or prolonged labour. Brain infection or physical trauma can increase a baby's risk of getting CP. A lack of oxygen also increases a baby's risk. This isn't common. CP can itself cause a baby to have a difficult birth because of body movement and posture problems related to the condition. Abruptio placenta. The placenta usually separates from the wall of the uterus several minutes after the birth of the baby.
But if it separates before the baby is born, the baby loses the blood and oxygen supply from the mother. Infections in the mother's uterus or vagina, such as strep infections , that transfer to the baby during birth. Risk factors after birth Risk factors for developing CP just after birth or within the first 2 or 3 years of life are related to brain damage.
They include: A serious illness, such as severe jaundice , meningitis , or lead poisoning very rare. A serious head injury from an injury or fall. This includes injury to a baby from shaking, throwing, or other force shaken baby syndrome.
Lack of oxygen to brain tissues, such as the result of a brain tumour or a near-drowning incident. Having some kinds of blood-clotting or genetic problems. When should you call your doctor? Call or other emergency services if your child with cerebral palsy CP : Is having problems breathing.
Chokes during feeding and you are not able to dislodge the food. Call a doctor right away if: Your child has a seizure for the first time.
If you have a child diagnosed with CP, call your doctor if your child has: A seizure if it is the first time, call your doctor or seek care right away. Constipation that isn't relieved by home treatment. Skin irritation that isn't getting better, starts to bleed or weep fluid, or causes pain. Feeding problems that aren't relieved by home treatment, such as: A pattern of coughing and choking during feeding. If food is inhaled into the lungs, it increases the risk of pneumonia.
Trouble chewing, along with weight loss or complaints of being hungry. Frequent injuries that threaten your child's safety. Other signs of complications. These may include bladder control problems, bleeding gums, or an increase in joint stiffness. Who to see A team of health care providers will be involved in your child's care. You may also be referred to specialists, such as: Pediatricians some pediatricians specialize in developmental disabilities.
Neurological surgeons. Physiatrists , physical medicine and rehabilitative physicians, and other doctors who specialize in therapeutic and long-term treatment issues. Other specialists who may be involved in the care of people who have CP include: Gastroenterologists. Orthopedic surgeons. Respirologists pulmonologists.
Ear, nose, and throat specialists otolaryngologists. Psychiatrists , psychologists , social workers , and psychiatric nurses. Other health professionals who may be involved in the care of people who have CP include: Occupational therapists. Dentists or orthodontists. Hearing specialists audiologists.
Speech therapists speech-language pathologists. Registered dietitians. Examinations and Tests Diagnosing cerebral palsy Developmental delays are often reported by parents or observed by a doctor during routine well-baby checks.
A doctor diagnoses CP based on: Questions about the child's medical history, including details about the mother's pregnancy. A physical examination to look for signs of CP. The doctor will look to see if the child retains newborn reflexes longer than normal.
This can be a sign of CP. Postures and basic muscle function, hearing, and vision are usually checked. Screening tests. Developmental questionnaires and other tests may be done. MRI of the head. This test can find brain abnormalities. Evaluating and monitoring cerebral palsy After CP is diagnosed, a child will also be checked for other medical conditions that can occur with cerebral palsy, such as: Other developmental delays in addition to ones already found.
Developmental abilities will be checked to find out if new symptoms, such as speech and language delay, appear as a child's nervous system matures. Intellectual disability. This can be checked by intelligence testing. An electroencephalography EEG is used to check for abnormal activity in the brain if a child has a history of seizures. Problems with feeding and swallowing.
Vision or hearing problems. Behavioural problems. Some children need repeated testing that may include: X-rays , to check for loose or dislocated hips.
Children with CP are usually X-rayed several times during ages 2 to 5. Spinal X-rays also are done to look for curves in the child's spine scoliosis. Gait analysis. This helps identify problems and guide treatment decisions. Treatment Overview Even though CP can't be cured, a variety of treatments can help people who have CP to make the most of their abilities and physical strength, prevent complications, and improve their quality of life.
Treatment for CP includes: Physiotherapy, which can help your child become as mobile as possible. Medicines, which can help control some of the symptoms of CP and prevent complications. For more information, see Medications. Certain kinds of surgery, which may sometimes be used for a child with severe problems.
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