Cerebral Palsy Pamphlet

CEREBRAL PALSY PRESENTED BY: GROUP 2A AND 2B

What is cerebral palsy?

Is my baby at risk of cerebral palsy?

What are the risk factors?

What are the signs of cerebral palsy?

What are the screening and diagnostic tests done?

How to care for a child with cerebral palsy?

Are there treatments and therapies available?

(CDC, 2021)

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) 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.

Risk Factors of Cerebral Palsy LOW BIRTH WEIGHT OR PRETERM BIRTH MULTIPLE GESTATIONS INFERTILITY TREATMENTS INFECTIONS DURING PREGNANCY FEVER DURING PREGNANCY BLOOD FACTOR BETWEEN MOTHER AND FETUS DOES NOT MATCH EXPOSURE TO TOXIC CHEMICALS MATERNAL MEDICAL CONDITIONS COMPLICATED LABOR AND DELIVERY JAUNDICE

CEREBRAL PALSY Criteria for Diagnosis P

O

POSTURING:

abnormal extensor thrusting, fisting with adducted thumbs, hyperextension and adduction (scissoring) of lower extremities, and hyperextension of trunk (arching).

OROPHARYNGEAL PROBLEMS:

Tongue thrusts, grimacing, swallowing difficulties

S T E

REMEMBER: Always see your healthcare provider if these are observed.

R

STRABISMUS

also known as crossed eye. A condition in which one eye is turned in a direction that is different from the other eye.

TONE INCREASED OR DECREASED IN MUSCLES

increased resistance to passive movement of the extremities and decreased axial tone.

EVOLUTIONARY RESPONSES delayed primitive reflexes or failure to develop equilibrium, protective responses, and delayed evolution of automatic responses: palmar grasp, asymmetric tonic neck reflexes

REFLEXES

Deep tendon reflexes are increased and plantar reflexes are up going

Screening and Diagnostic Tests Developmental Monitoring

Also called surveillance Means tracking a child’s growth and development over time.

If any concerns about the child’s development are raised during monitoring, then a developmental screening test should be given as soon as possible.

Developmental Screening

A short test is given to see if the child has specific developmental delays, such as motor or movement delays.

If the results of the screening test are cause for concern, then the doctor will make referrals for developmental and medical evaluations.

Developmental and Medical Evaluations

The goal of a developmental evaluation is to diagnose the specific type of disorder that affects a child.

To evaluate movement or motor delays, the doctor will look closely at the child’s motor skills, muscle tone, reflexes, and posture, and take a careful medical history from the parents.

The doctor will try to rule out other disorders that could cause similar problems.

CT scan, MRI, EEG

(CDC, 2021)

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs of Cerebral Palsy?

Stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes

Lack of balance and muscle coordination

Tremors or jerky involuntary movements

Difficulty in walking

Delays in speech development, eating difficulty, and excessive drooling or problems with swallowing

Delayed growth development Other Problems

Seizures Slow, writhing movements Difficulty hearing

Difficulty with fine motor skills

Problems with vision and abnormal eye movements Mental health conditions, such as emotional disorders and behavioral problems

HOW TO CARE FOR A CHILD WITH CEREBRAL PALSY? Stay on Top of Their Care

Your child may see a number of health care providers, from pediatricians to specialists to therapists and beyond. Many doctors prefer for parents to be very involved in the care of children with CP. You’ll help make health decisions, learn which treatments and therapies work, and see when a treatment is a success or has setbacks.

When doctors count you as a crucial part of the team, you’re more likely to feel pleased with your child’s care.

Be Your Child’s at-Home Therapist

With guidance from doctors, physical therapists and other health care workers, therapy time doesn’t have to end when your time slot is over. If you learn the proper ways to help your child exercise at home, you can help them stretch their muscles, build balance and reduce pain between office visits.

If your child has pain from muscle spasms, massage may help, so you may want to learn some basic techniques.

Help Them Expand Their Mind

Help your child broaden their world: Go to museums.

Work on art projects.

Listen to all types of music.

Play games together -- or create your own games.

Give your child a chance to take on an active role when you try new things. This type of experience may help them learn new skills, think about a problem from another angle, and have more self-esteem.

Focus on Diet It’s wise to serve healthy food that can help strengthen bones and muscles. Some children with cerebral palsy may have weak bones. This is more likely among children who aren’t able to walk. Your child’s doctor may prescribe medicine, but calcium-rich foods may help bone strength, too.

Help Them Be Active

Keep a Bright Outlook

Your child may not be able to play sports at the same level as their peers, but it’s important to get them moving to the best of their ability. Help them walk (if they can), play, and move as much as possible.

Teach them new skills, and they may use their muscles in new ways. Being active may strengthen their muscles, and it may help lead to fewer muscle spasms. People who are active have fewer health problems than people who never move around, so it’s a win-win situation.

A child with cerebral palsy won’t be able to do all of the things that their siblings or peers can do, but they shouldn’t be upset by this or focus on their limits. Instead, help them realize all of the things that they’re able to do on their own or with help.

If you always keep a positive attitude, your child should stay positive, too. If your child becomes focused on their setbacks and limitations, seek mental health care early. People with cerebral palsy are more likely to be depressed.

Get to Know Other Parents You’re likely to meet other moms and dads in the doctor’s office or a physical therapist’s waiting room. There are plenty of online support groups for parents of children with CP. It can help to build friendships with parents who are dealing with the same issues.

Other parents of children with cerebral palsy may be able to suggest new doctors, offer advice, or give honest reviews about drugs or braces. They might lift your spirits on tough days. Not only that, your children may become friends.

How to Care for a Child With Cerebral Palsy. (2021, May 31)

Treatment and

Therapy for Cerebral Palsy Physical Therapy -Strengthening muscles to prevent weakening or deterioration

Occupational Therapy

-Improving fine motor function -enhancing functional abilities

Speech & Language Therapy -Improving oral muscle function -teaching alternative communication methods

(Cerebral Palsy - Diagnosis and Treatment - Mayo Clinic, 2021)

Assistive Technologies -Walkers -Crutches -Wheelchairs -Orthotics improve muscle growth

Medications

Baclofen -loosens spastic muscles troughout the day OnabotulinumtoxinA - induces muscle paralysis in isolated muscle group

Surgery

-Relaxing taut muscle -lengthening tendons -Severing nerves that control taut muscles

Emergency Hotlines: Bocaue Ambulance Service - 09234749799 Bulacan Medical Mission Group Cooperative Hospital (BMMG) - (044) 913 5029 St. Paul Hospital Bulacan, Inc. - (044) 692 5964 Dr. Yanga's Hospital, Inc. - (044) 692 5307 Mt. Carmel Hospital - (044) 692 1619

NOTES

REFERENCES CDC. (2021, September 2). What is Cerebral Palsy? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, September 1). Cerebral palsy. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved April 11, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/cerebral-palsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20353999 How to Care for a Child With Cerebral Palsy. (2021, May 31). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/children/cerebral-palsy-parenting The University of Chicago (2013) Cerebral Palsy, https://pedclerk.bsd.uchicago.edu/page/cerebral-palsy What are the risk factors for cerebral palsy? (2021, May 11). Https://Www.nichd.nih.gov/. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/cerebral-palsy/conditioninfo/risk-factors