Characteristics of Cerebral Palsy

1
(No Transcript)
2
What is Cerebral Palsy?

• Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of non-progressive
  neurological disorders that impacts the childs
  posture, sense of balance, mobility, muscle
  strength, and gait.
• It is caused by abnormal brain development or
  irreparable damage to the immature and developing
  brain (during pregnancy or shortly after birth).

3
The distinguishing features

• Impaired gait and uncoordinated movement are the
  main features that set CP apart from other
  neurological disorders.
• CP is a non-degenerative disorder. Its symptoms
  do not worsen with time.
• Nevertheless, early diagnosis and intervention
  can go a long way in the child leading a better
  and fuller life. CP can be detected as early as a
  few months after birth or even at 4 years of age.

4
Types of Cerebral Palsy

• CP impairs the brains ability to move muscle.
  This leads to flaccid muscles, poor motor
  coordination, impaired reflexes, balance issues,
  incorrect posture, involuntary movements, etc.
  The degree of mobility challenges depends on the
  type of CP your child has been diagnosed with.
  The six types of CP are
• Spastic Cerebral Palsy
• Dystonic Cerebral Palsy
• Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy
• Athetoid Cerebral Palsy
• Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
• Mixed Cerebral Palsy

5
Types of Cerebral Palsy

• SPASTIC CEREBRAL PALSY is the most most common
  type of CP. It occurs due to damage in the
  brains motor cortex. Its characteristics
  include
• Trouble lifting ones head as a baby
• Tightened muscles due to increased muscle tone
• Rigidity and stiffness in the limbs
• Exaggerated movements
• Difficulties with breathing, speaking, and
  swallowing
• Hoarse voice
• Scoliosis (dislocation of the spine)
• Limb and joint deformities
• Difficulty with fine motor skills
• Scissored gait
• Drooling

6
Types of Cerebral Palsy

• DYSTONIC CEREBRAL PALSY is a subtype which occurs
  due to damage to the basal ganglia, the centre
  for learning and motor function. Dystonic CP is
  further divided into
• Focal dystonia one side of the body is impacted
• Generalised dystonia entire (or almost entire)
  body is affected
• Hermidystonia impacts one arm and corresponding
  leg
• Cervical dystonia affects shoulder, neck, and
  head
• Oromandibular dystonia affects mouth, tongue,
  and jaw

7
Types of Cerebral Palsy

• Dystonic CP has the following characteristics
• Movements that alternate between fast and slow
• Involuntary movements that get worse if the child
  tries to control them
• Gait problems
• Painful movements and contractions
• Clumsiness
• Speech and swallowing difficulties
• Foot cramps
• Drooling
• Uncontrollable blinking
• Fatigue due to uncontrollable movements

8
Types of Cerebral Palsy

• HYPOTONIC CEREBRAL PALSY is a rare variant of CP
  and accounts for only 2.6 of all the cases. The
  damage to the cerebellum severely affects muscle
  tone, leading to overly flaccid and floppy
  muscles. Its characteristics include
• Unusually flexible joints and ligaments
• Excess muscle flexibility
• Poor trunk stability
• Unusually wide gait
• Poor head control
• Clumsiness
• Slow reflexes
• Exhaustion
• Chewing and swallowing difficulties
• Making grunting, breathy noises
• Learning disabilities
• Cognitive delays

9
Types of Cerebral Palsy

• ATHETOID CEREBRAL PALSY affects the childs
  muscle causing them to fluctuate between
  hypotonia and hypertonia. The damage to the basal
  ganglia and/or cerebellum impacts is
  charactertised by
• Involuntary movements in the legs, arms, and
  hands
• Slow writhing movements that are repetitive and
  rhythmic
• Jerky, shaky movements
• Twisting of the torso
• Abnormal posture
• Grimacing or drooling
• Poor balance and coordination

10
Types of Cerebral Palsy

• ATAXIC CEREBRAL PALSY is a rare non-spastic
  variation of CP. It occurs due to damage to the
  cerebellum. It is characterised by
• Low muscle tone
• Involuntary movements that can be slow, fast,
  rhythmic, repetitive, or non-repetitive
• Exaggerated movements when the patient attempts
  to move voluntarily
• Poor balance and posture
• Unsteady gait
• Poor control over eye movements and depth
  perception
• Poor hand-eye coordination
• Impaired fine motor skills like handwriting

11
Types of Cerebral Palsy

• MIXED CEREBRAL PALSY occurs when there is damage
  to more than one part of the brain, including the
  motor cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and
  pyramidal tracts.
• Patients with mixed CP can experience symptoms of
  more than one of the above 5 types of CP.
• The most common type is Spastic-Dyskinetic
  Cerebral Palsy.
• Mixed CP accounts for nearly 15.4 of all the CP
  cases.
• Its characteristics and symptoms depend on the
  types of CP - damage to the brain and its
  severity.

12
Treatment and care

• Founded by Indias foremost neurologist, Dr
  Naeem Sadiq, Plexus offers the best treatment
  for Cerebral Palsy through our rehabilitation
  program. This is an all-inclusive treatment plan
  that is based on your childs symptoms, needs,
  and their ambitions. Our highly-trained
  specialists work with you and your child to
  design a custom rehabilitation plan that eases
  symptoms, maximises daily independence, and
  enhances quality of life.

13
Treatment for CP includes

• Physiotherapy Occupational therapy Speech and
  language therapy Cognitive therapy
• Developmental therapy Reflex integration
  therapy Early intervention therapy
• Postural training Gait training Activities
  for daily living training
• Pre-academic skills training Hand function
  training Corrective splinting Mobility aids
• Mirror therapy Contracture release therapy
  Constraint-induced movement therapy
• Stem cell therapy Medication and/or surgery