Children's cerebral palsy is usually caused by trauma or a lesion in the area of the brain, which controls the movements of the muscles before, during, or immediately after childbirth. Scientific research has shown that the natives of Asia, in particular, Sri Lanka and South India, are especially prone to CP. A high level of melanin in the skin promotes mutation of the genes, which speeds up the onset of the disease.
Symptoms of infantile cerebral palsy
Usually, infantile cerebral palsy can be easily diagnosed in the first 3 years of a child's life. In the most severe cases, the disease can be diagnosed in newborns (up to 3 months). Manifestations and symptoms of paralysis are individual. However, we can identify a number of typical symptoms in the disease:
- The coordination of work of muscles during execution of primitive movements is upset.
- Attack when walking on the toe (must be on full foot).
- Muscle spasticity is tension or muscle spasm and over-strained reflexes.
- Inability to maintain balance.
- Bracing the foot.
- Too relaxed or stressed muscle tone.
- Uneven, staggering gait.
- In children with severe congenital cerebral palsy, the body is too tense or, conversely, relaxed, incorrect posture. A small head, undeveloped lower jaw, curvature of the spine are congenital defects accompanying this disease.
- In some children, cerebral palsy develops as a consequence of an advanced infectious brain disease at an early age, for example, bacterial meningitis.
- These symptoms of infantile paralysis can remain unchanged or increase as the child grows up.
- Such disorders and illnesses as learning disabilities, mental retardation, sensory disorders, speech disorders, epilepsy, spasms, seizures and others, also called secondary symptoms, are quite common.
- Cerebral palsy also occurs as a result of severe psychological or traumatic brain injury.
Causes of cerebral palsy
To date, the exact cause of cerebral palsy has not been established. And although for several decades doctors have been discussing this issue, they have not found a concrete answer. It is customary to associate this defect with a number of disorders, and not with any one particular disease.
Let us highlight the most common causes of paralysis:
- The probability of cerebral palsy is much higher in premature babies than in full-fledged babies.
- In twins or triplets, birth weight is low, making infants vulnerable to cerebral palsy.
- Particularly susceptible to this disease are children who have a birth trauma, or who have been asphyxiated during childbirth.
- The likelihood of developing paralysis is higher in those children who have suffered meningitis, craniocerebral trauma or cerebral hemorrhage.
- If there is a cerebral hemorrhage after birth, if the child is in the incubator for 4 or more weeks, or does not cry in the first five minutes of life, the likelihood of infection is increased, and therefore the risk of paralysis.
- Infection can be transmitted to the child from the mother during and after the birth process - it can also contribute to the emergence of cerebral palsy.
- The probability of occurrence of cerebral palsy is increased as a result of using analgesics for pelvic presentation of the fetus or during labor during infection.
The exact cause of cerebral palsy is not clear in each individual case.
Treatment of paralysis
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely cure cerebral palsy, but it is possible to improve the condition of the child through therapy. Treatment of cerebral palsy is carried out primarily through training of mental and physical functions, which will reduce the severity of the neurological defect. Labor therapy and physical therapy are used to improve muscle function. Treatment in the early stages can partially overcome the defects in development, helps to learn to perform the necessary tasks and actions. With the correct treatment of paralysis, a child is able to learn to live a practically normal life.
Possible methods of treatment of cerebral palsy:
- Classes with a speech therapist (speech therapy) - help to cope with the problems of articulation of sounds and chewing food, learn to control muscles located in the mouth.
- Labor therapy and physiotherapy - helps to make the body's functions stronger and accept the individual limitations imposed by the disease so that the patient can lead a more or less independent life in the future.
- The use of orthopedic structures, for example, staples.
- Medicinal treatment helps to relieve pain and muscle spasms, control cramps.
- The use of wheelchairs.
- Use of communication tools, such as computers and speech synthesizers.
- Surgical intervention to relax tense muscles and correct anatomical deformities.