Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. It results from brain damage or abnormal development, typically occurring before birth. CP is a lifelong condition, but with the right support and management, individuals can lead fulfilling lives.
This condition varies in severity, affecting some individuals mildly while significantly impairing others. The symptoms of CP can include difficulty with coordination, muscle stiffness, involuntary movements, and speech difficulties. While there is no cure, early intervention, therapy, and medical treatments can help improve quality of life. One crucial aspect of managing CP is engaging with community support networks for cerebral palsy, which provide resources, emotional support, and assistance for affected individuals and their families.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
CP occurs when certain parts of the brain that control movement and posture don’t develop correctly or are damaged. This can happen before a baby is born, during birth, or shortly after birth. Some of the most common causes include:
Problems With Brain Development Before Birth
The brain is supposed to grow and form in a specific way during pregnancy. If something disrupts this process, like an infection or a genetic mutation, it can lead to CP.
This is called cerebral dysgenesis, which means the brain didn’t form the way it should have.
Damage To The White Matter Of The Brain
The white matter is like the brain’s communication highway. It helps send messages between different parts of the brain and the rest of the body.
If this white matter gets damaged (a condition called periventricular leukomalacia, or PVL), movement and muscle coordination can be affected. This damage often happens between 26 and 34 weeks of pregnancy.
Bleeding In The Brain (Intracranial Hemorrhage)
Sometimes, babies have strokes before they are even born. If a blood vessel in the brain gets blocked or bursts, it can cause bleeding in the brain and damage the areas that control movement. This can happen due to blood clots, weak blood vessels, or complications like high blood pressure in the mother.
Lack Of Oxygen To The Brain (Asphyxia)
If a baby’s brain doesn’t get enough oxygen during pregnancy or delivery, it can cause serious damage. This is one of the most well-known causes of CP, though it is not as common as once believed.
Who is More Likely to Get Cerebral Palsy?
Anyone can be born with CP, but certain factors increase the risk. These include:
- Premature birth and low birth weight: Babies born before 37 weeks or those who weigh less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces, are at a much higher risk. The earlier a baby is born, the greater the risk.
- Multiple births: Twins, triplets, and other multiple births have a higher chance of developing CP, especially if one of the siblings dies before birth.
- Infections during pregnancy: Certain infections like rubella (German measles), toxoplasmosis, herpes, Zika virus, or cytomegalovirus can increase the risk of CP. When the mother’s immune system fights off these infections, it can cause inflammation that harms the baby’s developing brain.
- Exposure to toxins: If a mother is exposed to toxic substances like mercury while pregnant, the baby’s brain can be affected.
- Complications during labor and delivery: If a baby doesn’t get enough oxygen or has a stroke during birth, it may lead to CP.
Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy
CP often shows up in early infancy. Parents might notice that their child is not reaching normal developmental milestones, like sitting up or crawling. Babies with CP may have unusually stiff or floppy muscles and may struggle with basic movements.
Signs In Babies Younger Than 6 Months
- Head falls back when picked up from lying on their back.
- Stiff or floppy muscles.
- Legs become stiff and cross over when picked up.
Signs In Babies Older Than 6 Months
- Not rolling over.
- It cannot bring hands together.
- Trouble bringing hands to mouth.
- Reaches with one hand while keeping the other clenched in a fist.
Signs In Babies Older Than 10 Months
- Crawls in a lopsided way, using one side more than the other.
- Cannot stand while holding onto the support.
Conclusion
Although there is currently no cure for this condition, different treatments like physical therapy, medications, and sometimes surgery can help people with CP move better and communicate more easily.
