Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone or posture, caused by damage that occurs to the immature brain as it develops, most often before birth.
Symptoms
- Variations in muscle tone
- Stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes
- Lack of muscle coordination
- Tremors or involuntary movements
- Delays in reaching motor skills milestones
Causes
- Brain injury before or during birth
- Infections during pregnancy
- Lack of oxygen to the brain
- Traumatic head injury in early childhood
Treatments
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Medications to control symptoms
- Surgical interventions
Prevention
- Proper prenatal care
- Vaccinations to prevent infections
- Safety measures to prevent head injuries
- Early detection and intervention