Cerebral Palsy
Diagnosis & Treatment for Children
Cerebral palsy (CP) in children is a disorder that affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills (the ability to move in a coordinated and purposeful way). CP usually is caused by brain damage that happens before or during a baby's birth, or during the first 3 to 5 years of a child's life. This brain damage also can lead to other health issues, including vision, hearing, and speech problems; and learning disabilities. There is no cure for CP, but treatment, therapy, special equipment, and, in some cases, surgery can help kids who have CP.
There are primarily three types of CP:
Spastic Cerebral Palsy causes stiffness and movement difficulties
Dyskinetic (Athetoid) Cerebral Palsy leads to involuntary and uncontrolled movements
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy causes a problem with balance and depth perception
Because cerebral palsy affects muscle control and coordination, even simple movements — like standing still — are difficult. Other functions that also involve motor skills and muscles — such as breathing, bladder and bowel control, eating, and talking — also may be affected when a child has CP. Cerebral palsy is a Neurological disorders in babies does not get worse over time.
What Causes
Cerebral Palsy?
The exact causes of CP aren't always known. But many cases are the result of problems during pregnancy when a fetus' brain is either damaged or doesn't develop normally. This can be due to infections, maternal health problems, a genetic disorder, or something else that interferes with normal brain development. Rarely, problems during labor and delivery can cause CP. Premature babies especially under 28 weeks gestation— have a higher chance of having CP than babies that are carried to term. So do other low-birthweight babies and multiple births, such as twins and triplets.
What Problems Does
CP Cause?
Kids with CP have varying degrees of physical different ability. Some have only mild impairment, while others are severely affected. This depends on the extent of the damage to the brain. For example, brain damage can be very limited, affecting only the part of the brain that controls walking, or it can be much more extensive, affecting muscle control of the entire body.
The brain damage that causes CP also can affect other brain functions and lead to additional medical issues, such as:
Visual impairment or blindness
Hearing Loss
Food Aspiration (the sucking of food or fluid into the lungs)
Gastroesophageal Reflux (Spitting up)
Speech Problems
Drooling
Sleep Disorders
Osteoporosis (Weak, Brittle Bones)
Behavior Problems
Epilepsy, speech and communication problems, and intellectual disabilities are more common among kids with CP. Many have problems that can require ongoing therapy and assistive devices such as braces or wheelchairs.
How Is Cerebral Palsy
Treated ?
Currently, there's no cure for cerebral palsy. But a variety of resources and therapies can provide help and immensely improve the quality of life for kids with CP.
Dr.Aman PS Sohal-Cerebral Palsy Doctor in Dubai and they may commonly need Physiotherapy, Speech therapy, Occupational therapy and sometimes Behavioural therapy to improve their quality of life Occasionally the children need orthopaedic surgeries to help increase tendon lengths, scoliosis etc.
Some of the Conditions commonly Encountered and Managed by Dr. Aman PS Sohal
+ Tics and Tourette Syndrome
+ Epilepsy & Seizures
+ Spasticity Management
+ Movement Disorders
+ Cerebral Palsy
+ Congenital Myasthenia Syndromes
+ Muscular Dystrophy
+ Neuropathies
+ Sleep Disorder
+ Headaches
+ Neuro Rehabilitation
+ ADHD
+ Autoimmune Neurological Disorders
+ Neurodevelopment Disorders
+ Neurometabolic Disorders
+ Neurogenetic Disorders
+ Neurogenetic Disorders
+ Autistic Spectrum Disorder
+ CVA & Stroke Management