Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a umbrella term encompassing a group of non-progressive, non-contagious neurological disorders that cause physical disability in human development, specifically the human movement and posture.

The incidence in developed countries is approximately 2-2.5 per 1000 live births, and incidence has not declined over the last 60 years despite medical advances. Cerebral palsy can occur during pregnancy, during childbirth or after birth. Eighty percent of causes are unknown; for the small number where cause is known this can include infection, malnutrition, and/or head trauma in very early childhood. It is a non-progressive disorder, but secondary orthopedic deformities, such as hip dislocation and scoliosis of the spine, are common. There is no known cure for CP. Medical intervention is limited to the treatment and prevention of complications possible from CP's consequences. Overall, cerebral palsy ranks among the most costly congenital conditions in the world to manage effectively.

In 30 percent of all cases of cerebral palsy, the spastic form is found along with one of the other types. There are a number of other minor types of cerebral palsy, but these are the most common. Onset of arthritis and osteoporosis can occur much sooner in adults with CP. Further research is needed on adults with CP, as the current literature body is highly focused on the pediatric patient. CP's resultant motor disorder(s) are sometimes, though not always, accompanied by "disturbances of sensation, cognition, communication, perception, and/or behavior, and/or by a seizure disorder”.

There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but various forms of therapy can help a person with the disorder to function more effectively. Many children go on to enjoy near-normal adult lives if their disabilities are properly managed. In general, the earlier treatment begins the better chance children have of overcoming developmental disabilities or learning new ways to accomplish the tasks that challenge them. Treatment may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, drugs to control seizures, alleviate pain, relax muscle spasms, the use of Botox to relax contracting muscles; surgery to correct anatomical abnormalities or release tight muscles; braces and other orthotic devices; wheelchairs and rolling walkers; and communication aids such as computers with attached voice synthesizers. For instance the use of a standing frame can help reduce spasticity and improve range of motion for people with CP who use wheelchairs. Nevertheless, there is only some benefit from therapy. Treatment is usually symptomatic and focuses on helping the person to develop as many motor skills as possible or to learn how to compensate for the lack of them.

...More at Wikipedia

Related Links:

• United Cerebral Palsy
• US National Library of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic

Recent Hope Cube Blog Entries For Cerebral Palsy

• My Son Sun, September 16, 2007 - [view]
  My son has cerebral palsy and  its a hard job being a single mother of a disabled child.  He can't walk, is still in diapers, and has limited mobility of his upper body.  He does feed himself, but requires assistance for almost everything else.  He also has behavior problems to go with the cerebral palsy.