CAUSES OF CEREBRAL PALSY

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

It is believed tat there isn't any single cause of cerebral palsy. It is hard to digest that for almost all babies born with cerebral palsy, the cause remains unknown. Previously doctors believed that cerebral palsy was due to complications at birth, including asphyxia (i.e. lack of oxygen). However, researchers now understand that this may be the real cause in a very small percentage of cases of cerebral palsy. 

Researchers now say that they have identified some risk factors that may lead to cerebral palsy. These include:

• Premature birth

• Low birth weight (small for gestational age) with low reflexes

• Any infection of the mother or other viral diseases in early pregnancy

• Low water level due to dehydration during pregnancy

• Prolonged loss of oxygen during the pregnancy or birthing process

• Jaundice shortly after birth. 

In present times, it is generally accepted and believed that cerebral palsy usually arises from a combination of events that can lead to an injury which is known as " ischemic injury" in a baby’s brain. In India, it has been observed that except a few cases of cerebral palsy, in all other cases, the brain injury which causes cerebral palsy occurs either in the uterus (while the mother is pregnant) or during the 1^st month of age. At present, researchers are not sure of the real cause of this peculiar trend.

Diagnosis and Life Expectancy

Occupational Therapy with splints

Diagnosis 

A qualified and eminent doctor can diagnose Cerebral Palsy  in the first 12 months of the new born. Doctors usually start to suspect cerebral palsy when parents complain that their baby has not attained neck control or has slow motor development (does not reach developmental milestones as per his/her present age) or has tight muscle tone, or displays unusual postures. Babies born prematurely or with low birth weight and low reflexes are found to be at a high risk of suffering from Cerebral Palsy. It has also been seen that multiple births (e.g. twins or triplets) are also associated with higher rates of cerebral palsy. 

Life Expectancy 

It is a known fact, that people with cerebral palsy will have a normal life expectancy. There is a myth that people with CP have short life expectancy. If proper care taken and available treatment is done, the patient will develop fast and lead a normal life in future. The damage to the brain that caused cerebral palsy will not progress or get worse with the age of the person.

WHAT IS CEREBRAL PALSY

Help Rupesh! Undergoing Occupational Therapy in this picture

Cerebral Palsy is condition where the patient does not have any muscle control and as such there would be no motor movement possible. It is believed that it is usually caused by an injury to the brain before, during or after birth, however the real cause of this disorder is yet to be established.
Children with cerebral palsy have difficulties in controlling muscles and movements as they grow and develop. This delays the achievement of developmental milestones in children.
In India, there are approximately 33,000 people with cerebral palsy. Worldwide, the incidence of cerebral palsy is 1 in 500 births. For most people with cerebral palsy, the cause is unknown. There is no known cure till date.

Presently doctors in medical science believe that the main causes of cerebral palsy include:

Infection in during pregnancy
Oxygen deprivation (lack of oxygen) to the brain
Abnormal brain development
A genetic link (though this is quite rare)
Difficulty in hearing
Frequent Jerks or Epilepsy
Vision impairment
Sleep disorders
Uncontrolled laughs
Communication difficulties
Drooling
Feeding difficulties
Problems with toileting
Lot of stiffness in the body
Periventricular leukomalacia(PVL, I will discuss about it in later posts)

What is the cure for Cerebral Palsy?

As of now, the set line of treatment or cure for cerebral palsy, is physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and special education. Stem cells treatment looks promising to many patients suffering from Cerebral Palsy and if it is done along with Occupational and Physiotherapies, then the patient will have a great chance of moving to normalcy sooner than expected.  

These days, CP chairs, gym balls, specially developed wheel chairs and various other items are readily available for purchase online. These furnitures or items provide lot of comfort to the patient from their pain and disorders. Many of these items are aimed at reducing the spasticity in the joints and other parts of the body. It is needless to say that, many of these items that are available to us for purchase are costly. People taking care of CP patients, need to understand this - plan the expenses well and along side look for options to raise funds. If required, discuss with your friends, co-workers or relatives about your growing medical expenses. If you do not find much people, consider writing a blog or running a website in the Internet world and let people across the globe know, that you need help. It doesn't really matters, if you know any them or not. Most of the people in the world are good and kind hearted. All we need is to request people for their helping hand and, believe me or not, one by one, kind hearted people will start appearing before you. Remember,  as parents and as care takers, we need to plan well and act promptly to help our kids, or near and dear ones  who are experiencing Cerebral Palsy.

Today Cerebral palsy is the third major developmental disability after autism and mental retardation. Please help people with cerebral palsy become more independent and lead a normal life, where they can themselves take care of their own needs.