Cerebral Palsy
Exposure to certain infections during pregnancy, fetal stroke, or other rare conditions cause 2 to 4 babies out of 1000 to be born with cerebral palsy (CP). Occasionally a stroke, severe infection or severe jaundice shortly after birth may also cause the syndrome. People with cerebral palsy have very poor coordination, muscle spasms, drooling, problems speaking and swallowing. There is no cure, but various therapies can help.
Although people with CP may have other conditions, including mental retardation, most people with CP are not mentally retarded. Treatment may include muscle relaxants, surgery, and physical therapy.
Recently Answered
- Q What are the symptoms of cerebral palsy?
-
There are a wide range of symptoms of cerebral palsy. Some children may experience only a mild case, while other cases are more debilitating. Typically, people with cerebral palsy have difficulty controlling muscle movement. Muscles may be stiff, which... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
- Q How can cerebral palsy be prevented?
-
There is no surefire way to prevent cerebral palsy. The best thing to do is take care of yourself and make every effort to stay healthy while you are pregnant, as many cases of cerebral palsy develop before birth. If you are pregnant, be sure you have... Full Answer
3 Answers
A
- Q What is assistive technology in cerebral palsy?
-
Devices that help individuals move about more easily and communicate successfully at home, at school, or in the workplace can help a child or an adult with cerebral palsy overcome physical and communication limitations. There are a number of devices that... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What are the early signs of cerebral palsy?
-
The early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before a child reaches three years of age. Parents are often the first to suspect that their baby's motor skills are not developing normally. Infants with cerebral palsy frequently have developmental... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How many people have cerebral palsy?
-
The United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Foundation estimates that nearly 800,000 children and adults in the United States are living with one or more of the symptoms of cerebral palsy. According to the federal government's Centers for Disease Control and... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What causes cerebral palsy?
-
Cerebral palsy is often caused by problems that occur before birth, although occasionally injury or illness at the beginning of life can bring about the disorder. If you are ill during pregnancy, this can cause your baby to be born with cerebral palsy.... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
- Q How is cerebral palsy diagnosed?
-
If your child has cerebral palsy, your doctor will likely recognize the symptoms and may recommend one of several different tests to check for brain damage such as a CT scan, an MRI, or a cranial ultrasound. All of these tests are painless and can take... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
- Q How does cerebral palsy affect the body?
-
Cerebral palsy affects the body by causing difficulty in muscle control and movement. In some cases these difficulties can lead to other problems. Sometimes, the stiffness of muscles is so severe that limbs are contorted. Difficulty eating caused by... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
- Q What increases my risk for cerebral palsy?
-
Premature babies have a greater risk or cerebral palsy than babies who complete an entire nine-month pregnancy. Babies with a low birth weight are also at a greater risk. Cerebral palsy can occur during a pregnancy with multiple babies. Since some... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
- Q What is cerebral palsy?
-
Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineCerebral palsy, which affects about one in every five hundred newborns, is caused by some kind of brain damage that occurs most often in utero or, much less frequently, during birth. Characterized by motor delay, abnormal movement, or physical... Full Answer
4 Answers
A
