Cerebral palsy- not an independent disease. These terms designate a group of diseases or symptom complexes that lead to movement disorders. Children with this condition receive a disability group, and their life, unfortunately, decreases in quality and duration.
The pathologies of the nervous system, which appeared in newborns as a result of birth trauma, were observed by doctors of the 19th century. However, then the connection between symptoms and the course of pregnancy was only being established. Children were born with impaired motor activity, which manifested itself as spontaneous twitching of the limbs, limited joint mobility and developmental delays.
The cause of movement disorders is the pathology of the brain, and specifically the subcortical regions, cortex, capsule or trunk. Cerebral palsy can cause various disorders, the causes of which are also varied and not fully understood. Children with this pathology are rarely born, about 0.2% of newborns.
Important! Cerebral palsy is not necessarily inherited, but genetic predisposition can play a negative role.
Causes
The formation of paralysis can be influenced by:
- Pregnancy period.
- The first month of a child's life.
- Childbirth.
Statistics show that several reasons contribute to the appearance of cerebral palsy, not just one. The layering of unfavorable factors in the aforementioned periods leads to various pathologies and impaired motor activity. Most of the disorders occur during intrauterine development, a significant part is also made up of birth trauma.
Important! Prematurity is the main reason that leads to half of all cases of disease. Therefore, it is very important to inform the child and give birth on time, even if the possibilities of modern medicine allow 30-week-old babies to come out.
The reasons contributing to the appearance of cerebral palsy:
- Child hypoxia... A severe pregnancy (infections, toxicosis, pathology of the placenta) can lead to this condition, as a result of which the child's brain does not fully develop.
- Birth trauma... More often they are only a continuation or a consequence of fetal pathology that appeared in utero. Unexpected situations during childbirth (narrow pelvis, weakness of contractions, prolonged anhydrous period, rapid labor) rarely cause cerebral palsy. However, complications during childbirth (asphyxia, mechanical compression) can lead to pathologies in the child.
- Hemolytic disease of the newborn... Any causes of jaundice lead to intoxication of the child's brain.
- Diseases of the mother... Heart problems, obesity, diabetes, rubella, medication, stress, physical injuries, infections, toxic lesions - all this can affect the formation of the brain and the conduction of nerve impulses.
- Severe pregnancy... Rhesus conflict, infections, threats of interruption lead to the formation of pathologies in the fetus.
Symptoms
The clinical picture depends on the degree and nature of the brain damage. With the progression of the disease, the symptoms become more distinct and pronounced. Among the main symptoms are:
- Increased muscle tone.
- Convulsions.
- Spontaneous movements.
- Vision and hearing problems.
- Delayed speech and development.
- Uncontrolled bowel movements.
- Joint contractures and skeletal deformities.
According to the international classification, several forms of cerebral palsy are distinguished, which are shown in the table below:
| The form | Symptoms | Causes |
|---|---|---|
| Spastic tetraplegia is the most severe form, the possibility of self-care is excluded | All four limbs are affected, there are visual, hearing, speech, and cognitive impairments. Epileptic seizures in such patients are recorded in 50% of cases. The child has deformities of the body, limbs, disrupted cranial nerves | Abnormal development of the brain; Hypoxia and neuronal death; Intrauterine infections |
| Spastic diplegia is the most common form | Muscle work is impaired on both sides with a predominance of pathology of the lower extremities. Children lag behind in speech and mental development, there is a decrease in intelligence. Dysfunction of the cranial nerves leads to impaired hearing and speech, strabismus. A special feature is the ability of such a child to full-fledged social adaptation. | Mostly in premature babies |
| Hemiplegia is the second most common. | Unilateral paralysis with a predominance of disorders in the arm. The child's development is delayed, both mental and speech direction. The degree of adaptation in society depends on the stage of the patient's development. Possible epileptic seizures | Hemorrhagic infarction; Cerebral anomaly; Intracerebral hemorrhage |
| Diskinetic | Involuntary movements of the limbs, trunk, face. The child has hearing impairment and oculomotor disorders. Intelligence can remain normal, which provides many patients with normal social adaptation | Hemolytic disease with severe jaundice; Pathology of the structure of the extrapyramidal system |
| Ataxic | Muscle tone is significantly reduced, motor disorders and movement inconsistencies are observed. Intelligence can develop normally | Cerebellar damage; Heredity; Damage to the frontal lobes (often due to birth injuries); Developmental anomaly; Hypoxia |
Important! Mixed forms of cerebral palsy are also possible, in which damage to all brain systems responsible for motor skills can occur.
Diagnostics
Cerebral palsy is manifested by visible disturbances in motor activity, so it is not difficult to notice the pathology. To make an accurate diagnosis, the child undergoes an MRI scan, the risk group and hereditary factors are assessed. An experienced physician should distinguish cerebral palsy from clinically similar conditions.
Treatment
There are no drugs for getting rid of cerebral palsy yet. Treatment consists in the maximum development of the child's skills, his adaptation to society and the possible correction of symptoms. They try to normalize motor functions, and cure concomitant diseases. In complex treatment, the following is used:
- Massage and remedial gymnastics with special aids.
- Working with a speech therapist.
- Conversations with a psychologist.
- Muscle relaxants.
- Surgical procedures that improve the functionality of muscles and tendons.
Important! If it is possible to eliminate the cause of cerebral palsy, this must be done. With timely elimination, the prognosis is much more favorable.
Assistive technology
Children with cerebral palsy find it difficult not only to stand, but also to sit. To alleviate the condition and a more comfortable life, there are various devices that are widely used by this category of patients:
- For mobile movement, special seats, walkers, wheelchairs have been developed.
- For the physical development of the child, there are bicycles, verticalizers, special shoes.
- For the convenience of hygiene procedures, you can purchase toilet chairs or special seats in the bath.
The abundance of modern technology can greatly facilitate the life of a child or caring for him. For example, walking options for chairs are specially designed, equipped with a hood, a table, and special belts. There are electric wheelchairs.
Important! Patients need constant care to make their life easier and prevent skeletal muscle dystrophy.
Complications of cerebral palsy can be multiple joint deformities, seizures, difficulty swallowing. Problems with muscles and joints cause the patient constant pain. Permanent care requires a lot of time, moral and financial costs for the person caring for a special child. Prevention of cerebral palsy consists in timely examination and elimination of the causes that can cause a similar symptom complex.
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