Low birthweight Caused Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is caused by abnormal development of the brain or damage to the developing brain that affects a child’s ability to control his or her muscles. There are several possible causes of the abnormal development or damage. People used to think that CP was mainly caused by lack of oxygen during the birth process. Now, scientists think that this causes only a small number of CP cases.
Some things increase the chance that a child will have CP. These are called risk factors. It is important to remember that having a risk factor does not mean that a child will have CP. Some of the risk factors for congenital CP are:
Low birthweight―Children who weigh less than 5 1/2 pounds (2,500 grams) at birth, and especially those who weigh less than 3 pounds, 5 ounces (1,500 grams) have a greater chance of having CP.
Premature birth―Children who were born before the 37th week of pregnancy, especially if they were born before the 32nd week of pregnancy, have a greater chance of having CP. Intensive care for premature infants has improved a lot over the past several decades. Babies born very early are more likely to live now, but many have medical problems that can put them at risk for CP.

Multiple births―Twins, triplets, and other multiple births have a higher risk for CP, especially if a baby’s twin or triplet dies before birth or shortly after birth. Some, but not all of this increased risk is due to the fact that children born from multiple pregnancies often are born early or with low birthweight, or both.

Exercises for Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common form of the condition, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This condition is characterized by stiffness and a contraction of the muscles that can be localized in the arms, legs and back, or can be spread throughout the body. Tight muscles due to spastic cerebral palsy make movement difficult, and any type of exercise may treat this lack of mobility.
Swimming/Water Therapy
An aquatic-based rehabilitation plan, according to the Cerebral Palsy Source website, can benefit spastic cerebral palsy patients because water reduces the force of gravity and provides some support to the body when submerged. The tightness in the musculature of a cerebral palsy patient makes it difficult to straighten out limbs completely. Water exercises like swimming or walking in water can help loosen the tight muscles, making movement easier.
Arm Cycling
If your condition is localized in your arms, your doctor or therapist may suggest a bicycling motion performed with your arms. This exercise often requires an arm cycling machine called an ergometer, or can be performed with a bicycle designed to be pedaled with the arms. This exercise can improve heart and lung function, muscular strength and flexibility.
Yoga/Tai Chi

The United Cerebral Palsy Foundation notes that some exercises performed in yoga and tai chi can benefit cerebral palsy patients by improving bone strength, balance as well as mobility. Focus initially on breathing and stretching exercises, and increase the amount of exercises you perform as your condition improves.

Symptoms of Mild Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition that occurs when there is damage to the areas of the brain that control movement. This damage can occur to the brain of a child during pregnancy, delivery or right after birth. CP is classified by type, depending on how the body is affected. The challenge with this condition is that the early symptoms may be so subtle that they may not be indicative of CP. This means it may take time to reach an accurate diagnosis. In some cases, there may be no signs of the disease until the child shows developmental delays. However, learning to recognize the signs will help you work with your health care team to properly diagnose and teat this condition.

Delays in Development

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the first signs of a mild case of CP may show up when your child is unable to complete certain tasks by a certain age. He may have trouble rolling over, maintaining balance, crawling, walking, smiling or sitting up. It may be difficult for a child with CP to run, kick or coordinate movement. CP tends to affect one side of the body more than the other, so one-sided weakness may be a clear sign.

Lack of Muscle Tone

An infant who has CP may appear to have very relaxed muscles, called hypotonia, and even seem floppy. This may occur during the first few months of life. In later months, your child may develop hypertonia. This means that your child's muscles become very stiff and rigid. The muscles may be very weak, and the child may develop a shakiness or experience tremors.

Additional Symptoms


CerebralPalsy.org also recommends being on the lookout for excessive drooling, trouble sucking, difficulty using scissors or pencils, weak facial muscles and inability to control the tongue. It is also good to know that in most cases, mild symptoms tend to be noticeable between 18 months and three years of age.

Herbal Therapies for Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy covers a wide spectrum of brain-related motor problems. Cerebral injuries that occur at or soon after birth may result in muscular or nerve dysfunction, which can present in the form of paralysis in one or more area of the body. Individuals may experience a range of severity with this non-progressive lifelong condition. Conventional treatments and herbal therapies alike show great promise for Cerebral palsy patients, especially if the diagnosis takes place early on. Several herbs have therapeutic uses in cerebral palsy.
Herbs can be used to nourish the brain, improve motor control, and increase mental acuity. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are similar to hormones. They are a major part of the central nervous system that work not only in the brain, but throughout the entire body. Ginkgo biloba, Panax and Siberian ginseng can increase the activity of these neurotransmitters for improved muscle functions. These herbs also have other helpful uses in cases of cerebral palsy.
Free radicals are often prevalent in cases of cerebral palsy. Antioxidant rich herbs can help counteract and prevent further cell damage caused by their presence. Rosemary, ginger, and ginkgo biloba are among those that have been cited for their high antioxidant content. Antioxidants are also helpful in assisting the body with proper oxygen utilization, which is very important for proper brain, nerve and muscle function.
Ginger may also be used to improve circulation to the extremities. For improved circulation throughout the entire body, prickly ash is another good option. Again we see Ginkgo as useful for improved circulatory function. The better circulation of blood, the more optimal oxygen levels and vital nutrients will be in the brain and nerve cells.
Additional Supplementation
Various nutrients work to provide improved muscle tone. Magnesium, vitamin C and thiamine are not always consumed in adequate amounts in today's modern diets, so supplementation may be helpful. Multivitamins with added minerals are best in organic, whole food forms. Adequate protein intake is also important because of the amino acids provided for proper muscle growth.
Dietary Considerations

Preservatives and food additives found in processed foods should be avoided. Many of them, like MSG, can pose the threat of toxicity to the brain. Foods should be consumed in the most natural form when available. Whole grains, fresh vegetables, and fruits are good options. Check with a doctor to rule out any possible food allergies that may cause an increase in symptoms.

Diseases That Can Be Mistaken for Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy describes a neurologic disorder caused by brain damage usually sustained during fetal development or delivery. The damage to the brain interferes with muscle coordination and body movements causing delayed development in infants. Symptoms of cerebral palsy include a lack of muscle coordination, stiff or tight muscles, a drop foot, an unbalanced gait, crouched walking, walking on the toes, a lack of muscle tone, excessive drooling, tremors and difficulty with tasks requiring precise movements like buttoning a shirt. Doctors often mistake many other diseases with similar symptoms for cerebral palsy; however, one of the most distinguishing characteristics is that cerebral palsy is not degenerative, meaning symptoms do not worsen over time.

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, classified as a rare genetic disorder, belongs to the group of diseases known as leukodystrophies. Leukodystrophies affect the growth of myelin—the fatty substance which surrounds nerves throughout the body and brain. Like cerebral palsy, Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease causes muscle weakness and a lack of coordination resulting in delayed development as described by the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke.

Although the symptoms of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease often cause a mistaken initial diagnosis of cerebral palsy, several differences distinguish the two disorders. Cerebral palsy occurs due to brain damage, while Pelizaeus-Merzbacher occurs due to a genetic mutation that affects the production of a myelin protein. Pelizaeus-Merzbacher is a degenerative disease causing symptoms to progressively worsen over time while cerebral palsy symptoms remain the same.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, CMT, is the most common neurological disorder, according to the Charcot-Marie Tooth Association, affecting approximately 2.6 million people world-wide. Although symptoms of CMT, including muscle weakness, a drop foot, an unbalanced gait and tremors, resemble cerebral palsy causing a mistaken diagnosis, the two disorders possess different characteristics.

CMT is a progressive neurological disease affecting the nerves that control the muscles, unlike cerebral palsy that affects the brain. CMT causes a loss of nerve function resulting in a tingling or burning sensation, neuropathic pain and a sensory loss.

Can cerebral palsy be treated with stem cells?

Mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord are considered to be universal donor cells because they are not immediately recognized as foreign. The cells home to damaged tissue and are known to secrete molecules called trophic factors.
Trophic factors from mesenchymal stem cells are known to stimulate repair of damaged nervous tissue in both the brain and the spinal cord. Some of these are neurotrophic factors that promote neuronal growth, induce new blood vessel growth, neurogenesis and astroglial activation, encourage synaptic connection and axonal remyelination, decrease programed cell death, and regulate microglial activation.
Mesenchymal stem cells stimulate brain repair after stroke1 and traumatic brain injury.
Animal studies show that mesenchymal stem cell can migrate into the brain and survive.
Because we utilize allogeneic cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells, we are able to offer treatment to any qualified patient, not just those who saved their own cord blood at birth. We will discuss several additional advantages of allogeneic cord-derived stem cells below.
There is evidence to support that bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells are safe and improve the quality of life in children with neurological disorders including cerebral palsy.
Which kinds of stem cells are utilized for CP treatment and how are they collected?
The Stem Cell Institute leverages adult stem cells from human umbilical cord tissue to treat cerebral palsy. These stem cells are harvested from donated umbilical cords. In accordance with International Blood Bank standards, all umbilical cord-derived stem cells are rigorously screened for viruses and bacteria at Medistem Labs before they are approved for use in patients.

In some cases, stem cells harvested from the patient’s own bone marrow are used in addition to umbilical cord tissue-derived cells.

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy in Infants

A parent or caregiver is usually the first person to notice an infant’s early symptoms of cerebral palsy. At first, a parent may dismiss or repress the idea that anything is truly wrong. Parents often chalk up their child’s missed development milestones to being a “late bloomer.”
However, if you think your child potential has symptoms of cerebral palsy you should contact your doctor immediately. Testing is available to determine cerebral palsy and other development disorders.
In the case of cerebral palsy, the earlier a child is diagnosed and can start treatment, the better.

What Are the Early Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy in Infants?
Cerebral palsy is difficult to detect at birth. Two early indicators of cerebral palsy in infants are abnormal muscle tone or the tendency to favor one side of the body over the other. If your infant seems unusually floppy or limp it could be a sign of hypotonia, meaning reduced muscle tone. If your infant seems excessively rigid or unbendable it could be a sign of hypertonia, meaning increased muscle tone. While typically an infant is affected with either hypertonia or hypotonia, sometimes an infant will endure an early bout of hypotonia only to progress to hypertonia after a few months. Other early symptoms of cerebral palsy in infants involve poor control over mouth muscles. Excessive vomiting, gagging or other feeding problems are sometimes lead to other more advanced cerebral palsy symptoms.
It is difficult to detect cerebral palsy until children start reaching development milestones. However, specific kinds of cerebral palsy do have some early indicators. For example, statistics show 70% of cerebral palsy cases are of a specific type of the disorder called spastic. Early symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy include the drawing in of arms and legs or difficulty in straightening an infant’s limbs. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy, another type of the disorder, can cause infants to writhe involuntarily in an irregular motion.
Physical Milestones
Brings hands together – 4 months
Sits with out support – 6 months
Crawls – 9 months
Feeds self with fingers – 9 months
Hold bottle without a assistance – 12 months
Walks unassisted – between 12-15 months
Walks up and down stairs – 24 months
Verbal Milestones
Localize a sound to the right or left side and turn head towards it – 1 month
Smile spontaneously – 1 month
Imitate speech sounds and babble – between 3 and 6 months
Individual word comprehension – between 6 to 10 months
Ability to say Mama and Dada – between 5-10 months

If your infant is delayed in achieving any of these milestones you should contact a physician for further testing. While these symptoms do not mean your infant has cerebral palsy, take your child to a qualified physician for testing. The earlier an infant is diagnosed with cerebral palsy the sooner they can begin therapy for the disorder.

Eating and Drinking for Cerebral Palsy

Eating and drinking may be difficult for some people living with cerebral palsy. This may be apparent soon after birth, with babies experiencing problems feeding either from the breast or bottle, or may start later in life.
Cerebral palsy can affect the muscles that open and close the mouth and move the lips and the tongue. Some people living with cerebral palsy may have difficulties in chewing and swallowing food and drink – a condition known as dysphagia.
Cerebral palsy often impacts fine motor skills and this can affect the ability of people to easily use cutlery, hold a cup, or transfer food from a plate to their mouth using their hands.
Others may suffer from gastroesophageal reflux – where acid from the stomach rises into the oesophagus – which makes eating uncomfortable or painful. This can sometimes be controlled by medication.
1 in 15 children with cerebral palsy are unable to take food through their mouth and need to be fed through a feeding tube. Speech pathologists and occupational therapists can help people with cerebral palsy who have eating and drinking difficulties.
If you are a person with cerebral palsy who has concerns about eating or you are a parent or carer concerned about your child or someone you know, then it is important that you seek advice and support.
Services that may assist with this area include:
Occupational Therapy
Speech Pathology

Spastic Cerebral Palsy – Facts, Causes , Symptoms and Treatments

Spastic Cerebral Palsy – Facts, Treatments, and Outcomes

Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common form of cerebral palsy, occurring in 50-75% of all cases. People with spastic cerebral palsy have too much muscle tone or tightness, a condition called hypertonia. Their movements are stiff and jerky, especially in the legs, arms, and back.
Sometimes an infant born with weak muscle tone, called hypotonia, will progress to hypertonia after the first 2 to 3 months of life. Children with cerebral palsy may exhibit unusual posturing or favor one side of the body when they move.
Up to 80% of all people with cerebral palsy suffer from some degree of spasticity. Spastic cerebral palsy is further categorized by what parts of the body are affected. In spastic diplegia, the main effect is found in both legs. Spastic hemiplegia involves one side of the person’s body. Spastic quadriplegia affects a person’s whole body (face, trunk, legs, and arms).
A person can have spastic cerebral palsy so mild that walking can simply look awkward, or be so severe that the use of a wheelchair is required.

Causes of Spastic Cerebral Palsy

According to the National Institutes of Health, four types of brain damage cause the characteristic symptoms of cerebral palsy:
Damage to the white matter of the brain (periventricular leukomalacia [PVL]). The white matter of the brain is responsible for transmitting signals inside the brain and to the rest of the body. Periventricular leukomalacia describes a type of damage that looks like tiny holes in the white matter of an infant’s brain. These gaps in brain tissue interfere with the normal transmission of signals. There are a number of events that can cause PVL, including maternal or fetal infection. Researchers have also identified a period of selective vulnerability in the developing fetal brain between 26 and 34 weeks of gestation. During this time, periventricular white matter is particularly sensitive to injury.
Abnormal development of the brain (cerebral dysgenesis). Any interruption of the normal process of brain growth during fetal development can cause brain malformations that interfere with the transmission of brain signals. The fetal brain is particularly vulnerable during the first 20 weeks of development. Mutations in the genes that control brain development during this early period can keep the brain from developing normally. Infections, fevers, trauma, or other conditions that cause unhealthy conditions in the womb also put an unborn baby’s nervous system at risk.
Bleeding in the brain (intracranial hemorrhage). Intracranial hemorrhage involves bleeding inside the brain caused by blocked or broken blood vessels. A common cause of this kind of damage is fetal stroke. Some babies suffer a stroke while still in the womb because of blood clots in the placenta that block blood flow. Other types of fetal stroke are caused by malformed or weak blood vessels in the brain or by blood-clotting abnormalities. Maternal high blood pressure (hypertension) is a common medical disorder during pregnancy that has been known to cause fetal stroke. Maternal infection, especially pelvic inflammatory disease, has also been shown to increase the risk of fetal stroke.
Brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen in the brain (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or intrapartum asphyxia). Asphyxia, a lack of oxygen in the brain caused by an interruption in breathing or poor oxygen supply, is common in babies due to the stress of labor and delivery. But even though a newborn’s blood is equipped to compensate for short-term low levels of oxygen, if the supply of oxygen is cut off or reduced for lengthy periods, an infant can develop a type of brain damage called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, which destroys tissue in the cerebral motor cortex and other areas of the brain. This kind of damage can also be caused by severely low maternal blood pressure, rupture of the uterus, detachment of the placenta, or problems involving the umbilical cord.

How Movement is Spastic Cerebral Palsy Affected

The type of brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy affects movement. Movement is governed by muscle tone, which is the continuous and passive amount of tension in a muscle that allows us to change or keep certain postures.
Healthy muscles work in groups. For example, when you bend your arm, the group of muscles on the front of your arm contract and the muscles on the back of your arm relax, which is what allows the bend to occur. Except in deep sleep, our muscles are in a constant state of active or passive tension, which allows us to do things like sit up, raise our heads, or stand.
Our brain sends out signals to muscles telling which ones to contract and which to extend to make our movements smooth and controlled. When any movement occurs, there are two sets of muscles working around a joint. Normally, the muscles on one side of the joint must relax so that the muscles on the other side can contract. In people with spastic cerebral palsy, the brain activates muscles at the same time, causing muscle groups to work against each other. The result is stiff, jerky movements.

Symptoms of Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Brain damage can occur before an infant is born, during labor and delivery, or when a child is older as the result of illness, accident, or injury. If the damage occurred before or during birth, an infant might have low APGAR scores, floppy muscle tone, poor color, weak breathing, the inability to suck, and development of seizures. In less severe cases, brain injury may not be obvious until the child fails to meet developmental milestones. In most cases, children with cerebral palsy are diagnosed by age three. Your child’s physician may order a brain scan or MRI for the diagnosis of cerebral palsy. This study may show lesions or other possible suspected causes of spastic cerebral palsy.
Following are some symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy in children:
Contractures-Contractures are “frozen joints,” and occur when a limb cannot be stretched or moved (when another person tries to moves it about its joint). Contractures may develop because the muscles were shortened or wasted away (atrophy), or from the development of scar tissue (fibrosis) formed over the joints.
Clonus –Clonus is a movement characterized by rapid, alternate contractions and relaxations of a muscle. Clonus is frequently observed in conditions such as spasticity and certain seizure disorders. A child with spastic cerebral palsy may experience episodes of clonus when trying to walk or navigating stairs. Clonus may cause the child’s foot to move up and down uncontrollably or shake erratically. In the case of clonus involving the arms, an attempt at controlled movement may trigger rapid, violent tremors or shaking of the arms and hands, sometimes leading to violent scissoring of the arms, possibly banging of the fists together.
Dystonia-Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by lasting muscle tightening or contractions. The contractions result in repeated twisting or writhing movements and unusual postures or positioning that the person with dystonia cannot control. This disorder may be limited to specific muscle groups and may result from the use of certain medications.
Exaggerated deep tendon reflexes-Knee jerk and other reflexes may be exaggerated.
Exaggerated startle reflexes and hypersensitivity-Infants may seem particularly sensitive to their environment, such as noise and light. They may seem especially sensitive to touch, startling easily and becoming fussy when stroked or held.
Hip dysplasia and dislocation-Hip dysplasia and dislocation is a common feature of cerebral palsy. The hip joint is normal at birth but the spastic muscle imbalance and lack of weight bearing leads to the development of progressive structural changes around the hip joint. These deformities contribute to hip dysplasia and dislocation. The consequences of a hip dislocation include difficulty with toileting and hygiene and result in problems with sitting.
Myoclonus-Myoclonus is a neurological movement disorder characterized by brief, involuntary, twitching or “shock-like” contractions of a muscle or muscle group. Depending on its cause, the muscle jerks can occur repeatedly or infrequently. They also may tend to occur only during specific circumstances. The muscle jerks can affect any body region or regions.
Muscle spasms or scissoring-Involuntary crossing of the legs or arms.
Categories of Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Spastic Diplegia-Spastic Diplegia is spastic cerebral palsy that may involve both legs, causing difficulty with walking due to tight muscles in the hips and legs causing legs to turn inward and cross at the knees (scissoring).
Spastic Hemiplegia-Spastic hemiplegia affects one side of the body. In the brain, one hemisphere (side) controls the opposite side of the body. So, if the left side of the brain experiences damage, the symptoms will appear on the right side of the body and vise versa.
Spastic Quadriplegia-Spastic quadriplegia is spastic cerebral palsy that involves all four limbs and the trunk, often along with the muscles controlling the mouth and tongue and also those controlled by the autonomic system responsible for swallowing, gastric emptying, and intestinal motility. This is the most severe form of spastic cerebral palsy.

Treatments for Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Treatment for spastic cerebral palsy focuses on controlling excess tone and spasticity by means of medication, surgery or spinal cord stimulation, alleviating pain, and providing regular physical therapy. Failure to control excess tone and spasticity to the extent possible can lead to contractures, scoliosis, and hip dysplasia, and it may severely impact quality of life.
Common Medications
Benzodiazepines–A class of medications that act upon the central nervous system to reduce communication between certain neurons, lowering the level of activity in the brain. Benzodiazepines are muscle relaxants such as diazepam, oral baclofen, and dantrolene and are frequently the first line of treatment in managing movement disorders.
Intrathecal baclofen–Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996 for treatment of cerebral palsy, this therapy is becoming the common choice of treatment in movement disorders that do not respond well to other forms of treatment. This form of therapy uses an implanted pump device to deliver baclofen (muscle relaxant) into the spinal cord. This form of therapy is most appropriate for children with severe hypertonia and uncontrolled movement disorders throughout the body.

Surgery for Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Orthopedic surgery is often recommended when spasticity and stiffness are severe enough to make walking and moving difficult or painful. Commonly, surgery involves lengthening muscles and tendons that are proportionately too short. Orthopedists generally time surgeries to coincide with a specific stage of the child’s physical development.
Spasticity in the upper leg muscles, which causes a “scissor pattern” walk, is a major obstacle to normal gait. The optimal age to correct this spasticity is 2 to 4 years of age with adduction release surgery. On the other hand, the best time to perform surgery to lengthen the hamstrings or Achilles tendon is 7 to 8 years of age. If adduction release surgery is delayed so that it can be performed at the same time as hamstring lengthening, the child will have learned to compensate for spasticity in the adductors. By the time the hamstring surgery is performed, the child’s abnormal gait pattern could be so ingrained that it might not be easily corrected. With shorter recovery times and new, less invasive surgical techniques, doctors can schedule surgeries at times that take advantage of a child’s age and developmental abilities for the best possible result.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a surgical procedure recommended only for cases of severe spasticity when all of the more conservative treatments have proven ineffective. In this procedure, surgeons locate and selectively sever over-activated nerves at the base of the spinal cord to reduce spasticity in the legs.

Management for Cerebral Palsy

Over time, the approach to Cerebral Palsy management has shifted away from narrow attempts to fix individual physical problems – such as spasticity in a particular limb – to making such treatments part of a larger goal of maximizing the person's independence and community engagement.:886 However, the evidence base for the effectiveness of intervention programs reflecting this philososphy has not yet caught up: effective interventions for body structures and functions have a strong evidence base, but evidence is lacking for effective interventions targeted toward participation, environment, or personal factors. There is also no good evidence to show that an intervention that is effective at the body-specific level will result in an improvement at the activity level, or vice versa.Although such cross-over benefit might happen, not enough high-quality studies have been done to demonstrate it.
Treatment of cerebral palsy is a lifelong process focused on the management of associated conditions. It tries to allow healthy development on all levels. The brain, up to about the age of 8, is not set and has the ability to reroute many signal paths that may have been affected by the initial trauma; the earlier it has help in doing this the more successful it will be.
The treatments with the best evidence are medications , therapy (bimanual training, casting,constraint-induced movement therapy, context-focused therapy, fitness training, goal-directed training, hip surveillance, home programmes, occupational therapy after botulinum toxin, pressure care) and surgery
Various forms of therapy are available to people living with cerebral palsy as well as caregivers and parents. Treatment may include one or more of the following: physical therapy; occupational therapy; speech therapy; water therapy; drugs to control seizures, alleviate pain, or relax muscle spasms ; surgery to correct anatomical abnormalities or release tight muscles; braces and other orthotic devices; rolling walkers; and communication aids such as computers with attached voice synthesisers.

However, there is only some benefit from therapy. Treatment is usually symptomatic and focuses on helping the person to develop as many motor skills as possible or to learn how to compensate for the lack of them. Non-speaking people with CP are often successful availing themselves of augmentative and alternative communication.

Effects of Cerebral Palsy

1. Energy level and energy usage
There is no point in beating around the bush. This is by far the biggest change I noticed compared to when I was say, 15. I get tired way more easily, and when I get tired, I get really tired. I would describe it almost like influenza symptoms if I push it too far. My body starts to ache; I find it difficult to think straight, and in general to concentrate on anything. Thankfully, changing my job to working even more of a desk job than my previous job, has helped quite a bit. In my previous job as an IT technician I would tire a lot faster due to walking and lifting etc. at work. That resulted in me only being able to work a 50% position. Now I can work a lot more before I feel tiredness, and that is good. I need to do something and be productive to be happy. I’ve found this side of the CP to be difficult to communicate to others though. They see the obvious sings of the CP, they don’t see the fatigue and low energy. I remember that I used to be afraid of others thinking I was lazy, back when I first encountered problems with this during high school.
2. Lower mobility and increased stiffness.
Although I will still consider myself plenty mobile enough, since I can achieve what I want, I do notice a significant change in my mobility compared to when I was in my teens. My feet are usually stiffer; I notice that especially if I try to play soccer now, I’ve lost a lot of the “fine touch” I used to have in being able to control my feet. They don’t rotate as easily to either side, and they are generally tougher to control. I suspect also that my achilles tendons are “regressing” quite a bit, I can feel that they are shortening and fighting up. That is something to be expected though, and it reminds me that I really should get better at stretching a lot more often. Even though I’ve always found that quite boring I must admit.
3. Cramps.
Yep, simple as that. I can’t remember having cramps in my feet when I was younger, if I did it was most surely a rare occurrence. Now, I get instant cramps if I tense up my musculature, especially in my feet. That is not such a great combination when you consider my hypersensitive startle reflex.
I guess this one fits pretty well into overall increased tightness and spasticity though
4. Motion sickness.
Now, I can’t 100% say that this is due to my CP, but I have some reason to believe so. I used to have motion sickness a little when I was younger, but not as bad as it can get now. And its not just general motor sickness after a long car ride, I get physically disoriented and dizzy if I ride a bus for example. I have mentioned this to a few doctors and they say it can very well be related to the CP. They say since it is tied to balance issues, if my balance has worsened (spoiler alert, its the next point) that can increase the likelihood of me experiencing problems with motion sickness
5. Reduced balance.

As mention in number 4, my balance has decreased somewhat. I notice that I fall over more easily than I used to. Mind you I never had a stellar balance really, but it’s noticeably worse now. Living in icy Norway can sometimes be a challenge, but I was smart enough to invest in shoes with metal spikes underneath, so now I can walk on the ice without noticing much, which believe me, is a God send. I remember that I used to fall several times each winter; it’s really a wonder that I have never broken anything. I’m thankful I thought myself falling techniques though (karate is great for this).

Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis and Tests

Unlike with many other conditions, no single test can diagnose cerebral palsy. Instead, a diagnosis involves understanding a child’s medical history and identifying symptoms consistent with the condition. Diagnosing cerebral palsy as soon as possible ensures early intervention and a lifetime of excellent medical care.
Diagnosis Shortly After Birth
In some cases, doctors diagnose cerebral palsy shortly after birth. Babies born prematurely or who have other significant risk factors are most likely to receive an early diagnosis. In such cases, a newborn often will have an MRI that shows damage to the brain. A neurological exam with abnormal results also helps support an early diagnosis.
In cases of early diagnosis, Gillette specialists might provide evaluations or consultations while a baby is still in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Once a baby comes home from the hospital, regular visits with Gillette’s cerebral palsy specialists play an important role in maximizing a child’s health and abilities.
Diagnosis During Toddlerhood
Most often, children receive a cerebral palsy diagnosis between ages 1 and 3. Such children usually have a birth and medical history that increases their risk of cerebral palsy. Symptoms at birth, however, might not be clear enough to warrant an early diagnosis. Instead, parents and care providers watch for developmental concerns.
Parents and care providers might suspect cerebral palsy if a child misses milestones (such as sitting up or crawling) or shows other symptoms consistent with the condition. Sometimes pediatricians and family practitioners diagnose patients with cerebral palsy. In other cases, they send their patients to a specialty center like Gillette for evaluation.
Diagnosis During Childhood
Although the situation is rare, some children receive a cerebral palsy diagnosis after their toddler years. In such cases, providers might have missed very mild symptoms, or a child might have failed to outgrow what was thought to be another condition (such as idiopathic toe walking).
In addition, children older than 1 can develop symptoms similar to those of cerebral palsy if they sustain traumatic brain injuries, experience a lack of oxygen, or contract an infection such as meningitis. Children whose injuries occur when they are older than 1 typically receive a diagnosis of brain injury rather than cerebral palsy.
Tests and Evaluations to Help Diagnose Cerebral Palsy
Although no single test can diagnose cerebral palsy, doctors use various tests and evaluations to help make a diagnosis. Common tests and evaluations include:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Computed tomography (CT)
Cranial ultrasound
Developmental screenings (during well-child visits)

Developmental assessment conducted by a neurologist, pediatric rehabilitation medicine specialist or neurodevelopmental pediatrician

Delivery Issues that cause Cerebral Palsy

William Little a British doctor, first identified cerebral palsy in the 1860s. Little and generations of doctors after him believed that a difficult labor and delivery were responsible for most cases of cerebral palsy. It was thought that the lack of oxygen during a prolonged delivery caused the brain damage associated with CP. The celebrated Sigmund Freud the founder of psychoanalysis, was a notable opponent of this belief, Freud argued that many of the issues (mental retardation, seizure, vision problems) associated with CP were too profound to have been caused by a brief lack of oxygen at birth. Freud believed that these problems must have arisen from problems during development.
It turns out that Freud was right. In the 1980s, a study funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke found that less than 10 percent of all cases of congenital cerebral palsy were caused by a problem during delivery. The researchers found that while a lack of oxygen does play a significant role in many cases of cerebral palsy, the lack of oxygen which may occur during a difficult delivery is seldom enough to cause brain damage. Most brain damage from lack of oxygen occurs during the baby’s development.
Significant Delivery Issues
Although the cause of most cerebral palsy is present before birth, the period of labor and delivery is still risky. Over due pregnancies, overly large babies, prolonged labor and breech deliveries increase the risk of injury occurring during birth.
A pregnancy which runs beyond the normal gestational period of 40 weeks is a risk for a difficult delivery because the baby can be larger than normal. Women with pregestational diabetes are also more likely to have larger than normal babies. Larger than average babies have difficulty passing through the birth canal. Sometimes the baby’s head may present or partially present, but then the shoulder is caught under the mother’s pelvic bones (a problem called shoulder dystocia). Being in this position puts the baby at risk for possible prolonged oxygen deprivation, since it may take doctors a long time to extract the child and the umbilical cord may be kinked or squeezed during manipulations to free the shoulder.
Simple procedures like changing the mother’s position and changing the doctor’s grasp on the baby will be tried at first. Sometimes something as simple as pushing the woman’s legs up against her chest can provide extra room for the baby to descend; if this fails, those assisting the birth may help the woman roll over on her hands and knees so that gravity and the change of position will allow the baby to descend. Sometimes special episiotomy incisions are needed to make more room for the child.
The longer a situation like this continues, the greater the risk for both the woman and the child. The woman may bleed excessively or experience tissue damage which will be slow to heal. Nerves in the baby’s shoulder may be stretched or torn causing a condition known as Erb’s palsy.
In extreme situations, where no simpler, less invasive method has worked, the doctors may need to perform a caesarian section to remove a baby who has become stuck in this position; however, a caesarian section at this point is tricky and risky, since the baby may need to be pushed back up the birth canal and then quickly extracted through an incision in the mother’s lower abdomen. Doctors do not like to perform such risky procedures; all possible other procedures will be tried before attempting this form of emergency C-section. During such an emergency C-section, the woman is at greater risk for hemorrhaging and the baby is at risk for oxygen deprivation.
Medical Negligence
Even with ultrasound and other modern technology, an unborn baby’s weight is difficult to assess. Doctors may not anticipate delivering an overly large baby. Being unable to predict every possible complication is not medical negligence; however, being unprepared to deal with all possible emergencies may be negligence.
Delays in implementing appropriate emergency delivery techniques could lead to the baby being deprived of oxygen long enough to cause brain damage which will lead to cerebral palsy. The doctor should make sure that a special medical team, capable of handling emergency deliveries is available, even when trouble is not anticipated. The delivery room should be always be equipped for all possible emergencies. The doctor should be willing to admit when a delivery is becoming too complex for his or her skills and turn over the patient’s care to the emergency delivery team.
The physician should also explain in advance to the patient and her family, what will happen in the case of an emergency delivery, even in cases where such an emergency is not anticipated. In cases where an emergency is anticipated, the doctor should be even more thorough with the explanation.

In addition, a neonatal intensive care team should be on stand-by to care for the baby should an emergency occur. Proper treatment in the first few minutes after birth can sometimes prevent future problems. Naturally, proper treatment in the first few days after birth is also very important.

What are the Different Types of Cerebral Palsy Therapy?

There are no established, consistent cures for cerebral palsy, but people who live with the condition can learn how to enjoy active, fulfilling lifestyles despite their disabilities. Guided cerebral palsy therapy provided by licensed specialists can help children and adults keep their independence and succeed in work and school. There are many different types of valuable cerebral palsy therapy, from physical therapy to speech programs to special education. With the right tools, people can learn how to overcome obstacles and become productive members of society.
Physical therapy sessions are vital elements of most patients' cerebral palsy treatment. It is common for a patient to start attending physical therapy at a very young age to begin building enough strength and balance to stand upright and learn to control motor movements. Older children are taught how to establish good posture and how to move about with the aid of braces, crutches, or wheelchairs.

As an adult, a patient's physical therapy program is usually focused on maintaining the muscle strength and control necessary to get around independently. Patients might practice dressing and bathing themselves, holding utensils, and working with computers. Of course, the severity of disabilities varies from patient to patient, so particular elements of cerebral palsy therapy are more emphasized in some programs than in others.

What is Cerebral Palsy Law?

Cerebral palsy law is an umbrella term that covers a range of legal rights that apply to a person with cerebral palsy. A person with cerebral palsy has a right to go to school, for example, as well as the right to work. He also has the right to proper medical care and may be entitled to receive services for those with disabilities. If an individual faces discrimination because of his disability or is denied the support he needs, his parents may take legal steps to secure his rights. Sincecerebral palsy is usually diagnosed in infants or very young children, parents or legal guardians are usually responsible for taking legal action when necessary.

In many cases, a person with cerebral palsy may be entitled to financial assistance for paying for things such as wheelchairs, medications, and medical treatment. He may be entitled to financial payments that help with living expenses as well. The rights a patient has to these and other types of assistance also fall under the cerebral palsy law umbrella.
Another part of cerebral palsy law focuses on the claims that may be filed on behalf of a person who has cerebral palsy that was caused by medical malpractice. If a medical professional makes mistakes that cause cerebral palsy, he may face a medical malpractice lawsuit. Some examples of mistakes that may lead to the condition include the failure to perform a C-section when an unborn child is in distress and the failure to treat a pregnant woman for infections that may harm her unborn child. Likewise, medical malpractice claims may be filed because of injuries that happen during childbirth, such as when a doctor uses forceps or vacuum extraction improperly.
When a parent believes his child's cerebral palsy has resulted from a medical mistake ornegligence, he may hope to win a malpractice lawsuit and secure compensation. He may also hope to hold the medical professional who made the mistake responsible for his actions. In such a case, the parent has to prove that the doctor made a mistake, was negligent, or failed to provide a reasonable standard of care. If the child has cerebral palsy because of a birth defect or situation that was beyond the doctor's control, the parent is unlikely to win his case.

An individual who wants more information about cerebral palsy law may contact a lawyer for help. Likewise, organizations that provide services for individuals with disabilities may provide information as well. There are even some advocacy groups that may help patients and their families to get the help they need.