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Home » Consumer Information » Medical Malpractice » Birth Injury

Cerebral Palsy Overview

Cerebral palsy is a loosely applied term for a variety of neurological disorders that are first present in infants and small children. These complications impact a person's mobility and motor skills, but symptoms do not worsen as time passes. Although cerebral palsy has an effect on muscle control, it does not stem from any abnormalities associated with muscles or nerves. Instead, it originates in the regions of the brain responsible for regulating the actions of muscles. Most cerebral palsy patients are stricken with it from birth, but it often goes undetected for months or even years after the fact. The earliest side effects of cerebral palsy are typically evident prior to the age of three. The most common signs include:

  • Ataxia (loss of muscle control when carrying out a voluntary task.
  • Spasticity (muscle tightness and magnified reflexes).
  • Walking issues.
    • One foot or leg is out of sync.
    • Tiptoeing
    • A hunched gait
  • Overly rigid or floppy muscle tone.

Sometimes, brain damage will cause cerebral palsy in children during their first few months or years of life. Brain damage may be the result of infection (e.g., bacterial meningitis, viral encephalitis) or head injury due to an automobile or motorcycle accident, fall, or beating (e.g., child abuse).

Treatment options

Cerebral palsy is currently incurable, but there are numerous combinations of treatment that will improve a child's quality of life. If their problems are closely monitored, children diagnosed with cerebral palsy often continue on to lead fairly normal lives. The earlier a child begins to undergo therapy, the more of a chance they have to conquer developmental disabilities and assimilate into society. They also can learn new methods of accomplishing tasks of daily living to further their ability of functioning independently. Common forms of treatment include:

  • Physical therapy.
  • Occupational therapy.
  • Speech coaching.
  • Medication to manage seizures, alleviate muscle contractions, and put a damper on pain.
  • Corrective surgery to address anatomical defects or relax cramped muscles.
  • Braces or orthotics to provide stability and balance.
  • Wheelchairs and rolling walkers.
  • Verbal aids (e.g., computers with voice synthesizers).

Long-term outlook

Cerebral palsy is characterized by varying levels of severity; one child may never have the ability to walk and require lifetime assistance, while another may get around with only a slight hindrance and not require someone else's care at all. Supportive treatment, drugs, and operations can help many of those coping with cerebral palsy enhance their motor functions and communication skills to facilitate further interaction with the rest of the world and encourage normalcy.

Research spectrum

Scientists are examining the role of interference with the initial stages of brain maturation, such as genetic deficits that are sometimes accountable for brain deformities leading to cerebral palsy. Researchers are also investigating instances of trauma in the brains of infants like bleeding, epilepsy, and abnormal breathing and circulation that can elicit the irregular release of chemicals that may stimulate the sort of damage that leads to cerebral palsy. There is also evidence that medical malpractice is also to blame for the onset of cerebral palsy. To verify that kids with cerebral palsy are receiving the most logical treatment, studies are being conducted to compare experimental therapies with existing ones to give doctors and parents the essential information to help them proceed with the best sequence of treatment.