Background about Cerebral Palsy - Introduction

Science

1. The most common motor disability in childhood CEREBRAL PALSY

2. CEREBRAL PALSY OVERVIEW Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture. It's caused by damage that occurs to the immature, developing brain, most often before birth. Some people with cerebral palsy can walk; others need assistance. Some people have intellectual disabilities, but others do not. Epilepsy, blindness or deafness also might be present. There is no cure, but treatments can help improve function.

3. 1 in 323 babies are diagnosed with cerebral palsy in the US. Every hour a baby is born with cerebral palsy in the US. 40% are born prematurely and 60% are born at term. Approximately 18 million people of all ages have cerebral palsy worldwide. Around 1 million people have cerebral palsy in the US. CEREBRAL PALSY

4. CEREBRAL PALSY WHAT IS CEREBRAL PALSY TYPES OF CEREBRAL PALSY CAUSES OF CEREBRAL PALSY EARLY SIGNS OF CEREBRAL PALSY COMPLICATIONS PREVENTION CEREBRAL PALSY

5. CEREBRAL PALSY WHAT IS CEREBRAL PALSY? Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. CP is the most common motor disability in childhood. Cerebral means having to do with the brain . Palsy means weakness or problems with using the muscles. CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles.

6. CEREBRAL PALSY TYPES OF CEREBRAL PALSY Doctors classify CP according to the main type of movement disorder involved. Depending on which areas of the brain are affected, one or more of the following movement disorders can occur: SPASTIC CEREBRAL PALSY (STIFF MUSCLES) DYSKINETIC CEREBRAL PALSY (UNCONTROLLABLE MOVEMENTS) ATAXIC CEREBRAL PALSY (POOR BALANCE AND COORDINATION) MIXED CEREBRAL PALSY

7. CEREBRAL PALSY SPASTIC CEREBRAL PALSY The most common type of CP is spastic CP. Spastic CP affects about 80% of people with CP. People with spastic CP have increased muscle tone. This means their muscles are stiff and, as a result, their movements can be awkward. Spastic CP usually is described by what parts of the body are affected: Spastic hemiplegia/hemiparesis Spastic diplegia/diparesis Spastic quadriplegia/quadriparesis

8. Spastic hemiplegia/hemiparesis -This type of CP affects only one side of a person’s body; usually the arm is more affected than the leg. Spastic diplegia/diparesis - In this type of CP, muscle stiffness is mainly in the legs, with the arms less affected or not affected at all. People with spastic diplegia might have difficulty walking. Spastic quadriplegia/quadriparesis -Spastic quadriplegia is the most severe form of spastic CP and affects all four limbs, the trunk, and the face. CEREBRAL PALSY

9. CEREBRAL PALSY

10. CEREBRAL PALSY NICOLAS HAMILTON NICOLAS HAMILTON Nicolas Hamilton is a race car driver in England and the half-brother of racing star Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton was born eight weeks premature with a type of spastic cerebral palsy that affects the lower half of the body (spastic diplegia). Hamilton decided early in life that his cerebral palsy would not define who he was. “It’s been very difficult. But, you know, if it wasn’t for my condition I wouldn’t be here today. It’s made me who I am and I’m proud of it.” —Nicolas Hamilton

11. CEREBRAL PALSY DYSKINETIC CEREBRAL PALSY People with dyskinetic CP have problems controlling the movement of their hands, arms, feet, and legs, making it difficult to sit and walk. The movements are uncontrollable and can be slow and writhing or rapid and jerky. Sometimes the face and tongue are affected and the person has a hard time sucking, swallowing, and talking.

12. CEREBRAL PALSY ANTAXIC CEREBRAL PALSY People with ataxic CP have problems with balance and coordination. They might be unsteady when they walk. They might have a hard time controlling their hands or arms when they reach for something. Individuals with ataxic CP may experience difficulties coordinating their steps or performing tasks that require precision such as writing. Fortunately, there are ways to target these skills and improve them to optimize quality of life.

13. CEREBRAL PALSY MIXED CEREBRAL PALSY Mixed cerebral palsy occurs when a child exhibits symptoms of more than one type of cerebral palsy. Children diagnosed with mixed type cerebral palsy have sustained damage to the motor control centers in several parts of the brain.

14. CEREBRAL PALSY CAUSES OF 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. The abnormal development of the brain or damage that leads to CP can happen before birth, during birth, within a month after birth, or during the first years of a child’s life, while the brain is still developing. CONGENITAL CP - That occurred before or during birth. ACQUIRED CP - That occurs more than 28 days after birth

15. CEREBRAL PALSY EARLY SIGNS OF CEREBRAL PALSY The signs of CP vary greatly because there are many different types and levels of disability. The main sign that a child might have CP is a delay reaching motor or movement milestones. In a Baby Younger Than 6 Months of Age In a Baby Older Than 6 Months of Age In a Baby Older Than 10 Months of Age

16. CEREBRAL PALSY IN A BABY YOUNGER THAN 6 MONTHS OF AGE •His head lags when you pick him up while he’s lying on his back •He feels stiff •He feels floppy •When held cradled in your arms, he seems to overextend his back and neck, constantly acting as if he is pushing away from you •When you pick him up, his legs get stiff and they cross or scissor

17. CEREBRAL PALSY IN A BABY OLDER THAN 6 MONTHS OF AGE She doesn’t roll over in either direction She cannot bring her hands together She has difficulty bringing her hands to her mouth She reaches out with only one hand while keeping the other fisted IN A BABY OLDER THAN 10 MONTHS OF AGE He crawls in a lopsided manner, pushing off with one hand and leg while dragging the opposite hand and leg He scoots around on his buttocks or hops on his knees, but does not crawl on all fours

18. CEREBRAL PALSY COMPLICATIONS Complications of cerebral palsy include: Feeding difficulties Drooling Communication difficulties Osteopenia Osteoporosis Pain Vomiting Constipation

19. CEREBRAL PALSY PREVENTION There is no cure for CP, but treatment can improve the lives of those who have the condition. It is important to begin a treatment program as early as possible. In order to reduce the risks of a child developing CP after being born, there a few things that parents can do. CP prevention during this stage is centered around monitoring developmental milestones, and reducing the chance of head trauma.

20. CEREBRAL PALSY Some tips for preventing CP after birth include: Making sure your child is vaccinated for all common infant infections Using the correct car seat for your child’s weight and height Using a crib with bed rail Never leaving your child on high countertops or surfaces unattended Never shake a baby