HomeHealth articlestremorsWhat Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy - Causes, Symptoms, Types, and Treatment

Verified dataVerified data
0
Cerebral Palsy - Causes, Symptoms, Types, and Treatment

4 min read

Share

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a set of disorders that results from damage to the developing brain. Read the article to know about it in detail.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Arun Tungaria

Published At March 13, 2020
Reviewed AtJanuary 31, 2023

What Is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a group of disorders that affect the coordination and movement of muscles. It generally results from damage to the developing brain before, during, or immediately after birth. In a few cases, the sense of sight, smell, and hearing can also get affected. Cerebral means the brain, and palsy means weakness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is the primary cause of motor disabilities in children, affecting approximately 1.5 to 4 in every 1,000 children worldwide.

The signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy, such as limb and trunk rigidity, abnormal reflexes, improper posture, wobbling gait, and involuntary movements, appear during infancy. In addition, such kids have problems with swallowing, their eyes do not focus on an object, and they have a reduced range of motion in the joints because of muscle stiffness. The degree of symptoms varies, as some can even walk and have almost normal intellectual, while others might need assistance and have intellectual disabilities. Severe cases might result in epilepsy, hearing loss, and blindness.

What Are the Types of Cerebral Palsy?

The types of cerebral palsy include:

1. Spastic Cerebral Palsy - It is the most common type and affects about 80 % of patients with cerebral palsy. Here, the patients have increased muscle tone, making their muscles stiff. Depending on the body parts affected, this type is classified into:

  • Spastic Diplegia - In this type, muscle stiffness is mainly seen in the legs, and the arms are less affected or unaffected. Patient with this type has difficulty walking.

  • Spastic Hemiplegia - In this type, only one side of the body is affected. Usually, arms are more affected than legs.

  • Spastic Quadriplegia - It is the most severe form, as it affects the entire body. Patients with this spastic quadriplegia cannot walk and face other developmental conditions like seizures, intellectual disability, and problems with vision, speech, or hearing.

2. Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy - In this condition, patients find it difficult to control the movement of the hands and feet, making it challenging to walk or sit.

3. Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy - This condition reduces muscle tone, resulting in floppy and overly relaxed muscles.

4. Ataxic Cerebral Palsy - Patients with this condition have balance and coordination problems.

5. Mixed Cerebral Palsy - These patients have symptoms of more than one type of CP.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?

The signs and symptoms can vary. The common movement and coordination problems associated with cerebral palsy are:

  • Rigidity (the muscles are stiff, but the reflexes are normal).

  • Spasticity (the muscles are stiff with exaggerated or brisk reflexes).

  • Ataxia (problems with balance and muscle coordination).

  • Tremors.

  • Slow and squirming movements.

  • The child will favor one side of their body. For example, dragging a leg while crawling.

  • Delayed motor skills development like crawling, rolling over, and pushing up on arms.

  • The child will have difficulty walking. They might walk tip-toed, have a wobbly gait, a crouched gait, or a scissors-like gait.

  • Problems in sucking or eating.

  • The child may drool excessively or have problems swallowing.

  • Learning disabilities.

  • Seizures.

  • Speech development may be delayed, or the child might find it difficult to speak.

This condition can affect the entire body or just one side or limb. The symptoms do not worsen with age as the brain issues that cause CP does not get altered with age. But with age, some symptoms may get less or more noticeable. The following are the brain abnormalities associated with cerebral palsy:

  • Vision problems.

  • Hearing disabilities.

  • Intellectual disabilities.

  • Seizures.

  • Psychological conditions.

  • Abnormal perceptions of pain.

  • Urinary incontinence.

  • Diseases of the mouth or oral cavity.

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

Problems in brain development or brain injury before, during, or immediately after birth are the leading causes of cerebral palsy. The affected body part and symptoms depend on the damaged part of the brain. This damage can also occur during delivery or in the first few years of life. The following are the possible causes of cerebral palsy:

  • Gene mutations.

  • Lack of oxygen to the brain during birth (asphyxia neonatorum).

  • Infant jaundice.

  • If a pregnant woman gets infected with German measles or herpes.

  • Brain bleed or intracranial hemorrhage.

  • Road traffic accidents or child abuse that results in head injuries.

  • Brain infections like meningitis or encephalitis.

What Are the Risk Factors of Cerebral Palsy?

The following factors increase the risk of cerebral palsy:

  • Low birth weight.

  • Premature birth.

  • Multiple pregnancies.

  • Breech birth (baby’s buttocks or feet come out first instead of head).

  • Babies with a low Apgar score (it is used to check the baby’s physical health).

  • Exposure to toxins such as methylmercury (found in fish skin) during pregnancy.

  • Rh incompatibility (blood of mother and baby is Rh type incompatible).

How Is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?

The doctor will take a complete medical history, perform a physical examination, conduct a neurological examination, and evaluate the symptoms. If needed, the patient might suggest getting some of the following tests to diagnose CP:

  • Electroencephalogram (EEG) - To check the electrical activity of the brain.

  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan - Strong radio waves and magnets are used to produce detailed images of the brain, which are checked for brain injury.

  • CT (Computed Tomography) Scan - Cross-sectional or three-dimensional images of the brain are produced, which can help identify brain damage.

  • Cranial Ultrasound - High-frequency sound waves are used to get brain images.

  • Blood Tests - These are done to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

If a person gets diagnosed with CP, the neurologist will perform other tests to detect vision impairment, deafness, speech problems, intellectual disabilities, and movement disorders.

What Are the Treatment Options for Cerebral Palsy?

Children with cerebral palsy need prolonged care and treatment. Parents might need to work with healthcare professionals to help their kids. The treatment options include the following:

I. Medicines:

  • Injections to the Muscle or Nerve - Botox or other agents are injected into a specific muscle to tighten it. These injections might be needed every three months.

  • Muscle Relaxants - Diazepam, Baclofen, and Dantrolene, are used to relax the muscles. Baclofen is sometimes delivered into the spinal cord.

II. Therapies:

  • Physical Therapy - Various exercises and muscle training can help with muscle strength, flexibility, and balance. Braces or splints might be needed to improve walking and stretch stiff muscles.

  • Occupational Therapy - Occupational therapy will help the child adjust to their disabilities and teach them ways to conduct their day-to-day activities. It includes teaching the child to use walkers, canes, or electric wheelchairs.

Conclusion:

Currently, there is no cure for cerebral palsy, but various medicines and therapies can manage the condition effectively. Moreover, the treatment varies from person to person, and some patients might need long-term care for their symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

What Can Be the Cause of Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is caused due to abnormal brain development before birth or damage to the brain after birth.

2.

How Long Can a Person Live With Cerebral Palsy?

There is no study done regarding life expectancy for cerebral palsy; it usually depends on its severity and symptoms. Most children with cerebral palsy can live from 30 to 70 years of age. When the disease's severity increases, the lifespan decreases.

3.

Does Cerebral Palsy Worsen With Age?

Cerebral palsy does not become worse with age because it is nonprogressive. But there may be a change in the symptoms with age. The brain damage that occurs in cerebral palsy remains the same throughout their life and does not worsen.

4.

What Is the Epidemiology of Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy affects two to six children in every 1000 newborns. They seem to be higher in males than in females.

5.

Can a Child With Cerebral Palsy Experience Pain?

A child with mild cerebral palsy can have minimal pain, but the pain could be intolerable in severe form. The pain can occur due to spasticity, musculoskeletal deformities, and sitting for several hours in the same place. When the pain is managed, the child can engage in several activities.

6.

Can a Cerebral Palsy Patient Walk Properly?

Patients with cerebral palsy cannot walk due to some issues with muscle control. Mobility is one of the most common problems with cerebral palsy. Either an arm or one side of the body gets affected, and the patient usually has difficulty walking.

7.

What are the Types of Cerebral Palsy?

There are four types of cerebral palsy:
- Spastic.
- Athetoid.
- Ataxic.
- Mixed.

8.

How does Cerebral Palsy Affect Family Members?

In the family of a child with cerebral palsy, the most affected persons will be the parents. They would have fear for the future of their child. The child with mild symptoms can be independent, but the child with severe symptoms is wholly dependent on someone to care for them. The parents should take care of the child lifelong. Siblings of the affected child could also be affected. These family members may undergo depression, financial problems, and relationship challenges. In these ways, the family members can be affected.

9.

Can a Baby Be Born With Cerebral Palsy?

Yes, a baby can be born with cerebral palsy. This type of cerebral palsy is called congenital cerebral palsy. Here, the brain grows abnormally, or the damage occurs before birth.

10.

How to Breastfeed a Baby With Cerebral Palsy?

A baby with cerebral palsy can breastfeed normally. It is essential to give the child head and body support while feeding because such babies have difficulties in swallowing, and they may aspirate the milk into the lungs, which may lead to complications like aspiration pneumonia.

11.

Why Do Children With Cerebral Palsy Cry a Lot?

Children who have cerebral palsy often cry grievously without a cause, known as a neurogenic cry. Babies with stiffness issues might also cry out of pain.

12.

Can a Mild Cerebral Palsy Outgrow in Children?

Children with mild cerebral palsy cannot outgrow, but the symptoms may change with age.

13.

Can Speech Be Affected in People With Cerebral Palsy?

Speech problem is more common in people with cerebral palsy in both children and adults. The part of the brain which controls speech can be affected. The children may have difficulty in forming sentences and using correct words to express themselves.

14.

At What Age do Children usually Get Diagnosed For Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy can be diagnosed between 18 months to 5 years of age. The delay in a child's development is the first sign of cerebral palsy.

15.

How To Confirm If Your Child Has Cerebral Palsy?

The most significant sign to confirm that your child has cerebral palsy is when the baby fails to do what most babies usually do at that age, like milestones.

16.

Can Cerebral Palsy Decrease the Lifespan of a Person?

The lifespan of cerebral palsy usually depends on the symptoms and severity of the disease. When the severity of the disease increases, the lifespan decreases.
Dr. Arun Tungaria
Dr. Arun Tungaria

Neurosurgery

Tags:

ataxiatremorscerebral palsy
Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Source Article ArrowMost popular articles

Do you have a question on

tremors

Ask a doctor online

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy