What is Cerebral Palsy and what causes the disorder?

Cerebral Palsy is a term that denotes to a group of permanent neurological disorders affecting physical posture, body movement, speech and muscle coordination in children. Usually, cerebral palsy is caused due to damage in some specific areas of brain during the infancy or childbirth.

A child affected with cerebral palsy will have difficulties in leading a normal as he/she does not have full control of his/her motor function depending on the amount of damage in the specific area of the brain. Permanent brain injuries happening to an infant during the pregnancy or at the time of birth affect the child severely causing huge loss of many abilities required to correct body functioning essential to perform according to the human activities.

The reduction in the growth of the brain results the communication problem between the brain and body. Hence, this is one of the major reasons for what’s called as cerebral palsy.

There are 4 forms of cerebral palsy:

1.Spastic Cerebral Palsy

It is characterized by stiff muscles and difficult movement. It is the most common form of cerebral palsy affecting 70% to 80% of patients.

2.Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

It is characterized by involuntary and uncontrolled muscles movement including writhing or slow movements. This form of palsy affects about 10% to 20% of patients.

3.Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

It is characterized by disturbed sense of balance and depth perception. The palsy affects about 5% to 10% of patients.

4.Mixed Cerebral Palsy

It is characterized by a combination of the above forms of cerebral palsies. However, the most common mixed form can be a combination of spastic and athetoid characteristics.

Here are some causes for the Cerebral Palsy disorder:

• Consumption of alcohol and poisonous chemicals during pregnancy

• Genetic disorders

• Infections during pregnancy or childbirth

• Rh Incompatibility

• Low birth weight and premature birth

• Malnutrition

• Mother’s illness

• Multiple pregnancies

• Oxygen shortage and asphyxia

• Jaundice, Encephalitis, Epilepsy, or Accidents

• Many other causes…

It is advised that parents of cerebral palsied children take their children to specialized doctors in this area. There are a number of potential ways to help kids with cerebral palsy.