Cerebral Palsy: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

The development of the human brain is a long and highly complex process that begins during fetal development and continues throughout life. This organ and the entire nervous system are the bases from which the set of functions of our body is regulated, both at the level of basic functions of our organs and for example when allowing actions such as movement voluntary.

However, various problems sometimes occur during fetal development, during childbirth, or during the first years of life when the brain development does not occur properly and ends up preventing different abilities from being displayed or being carried out functions. When these problems of brain origin generate the inability to carry out voluntary movement, we are talking about cerebral palsy.

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What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is understood to be the medical condition in which the presence of brain alterations or injuries during brain development causes the development of movement capacity and psychomotor skills to be greatly limited. These limitations are generally congenital and involve a permanent alteration that alters processes such as learning.

Movement problems, muscle stiffness, incoordination, tremors, hypotonia and hyperkinesia in the joints usually appear. This type of symptoms can be generalized or seen to a greater extent in extremities or in a specific half body. In addition to it the lack or difficulties of motor control caused by cerebral palsy it can cause difficulties in feeding, breathing and excretion. Sensory perception is also sometimes affected.

It is frequent that delays appear in the development of the subject and that either it is late or that various milestones typical of individuals without this problem, given the existence of a problem in the central nervous system that makes it difficult to correct maturation. May be accompanied by intellectual disability, although it is not a symptom of this condition.

The severity of this paralysis can be enormously variable, ranging from barely noticeable to a severe disability for the subject who suffers from it, requiring constant support and care in cases of greater gravity.

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Types of cerebral palsy

There is no single type of cerebral palsy, but this term encompasses different subtypes of problems. Some of the most common are the following.

1. Spastic cerebral palsy

One of the best known and most frequent forms, it is a type of cerebral palsy in which subjects have a high level of muscle stiffness and great problems when mobilizing muscle groups.

There may be tetraplegia (although also diplegia, paraplegia, or hemiplegia), seizures, apraxias, high level of arousal and activation, and spasticity. Abnormal postures and contractions, hypertonia, and hyperflexibility are commonly seen.

2. Ataxic cerebral palsy

In the less frequent forms, it usually occurs in the form of a lack of muscle tone, incoordination and lack of balance. Walking, in the case of those who have it, is difficult and presents a risk of falls. Eye-hand coordination also becomes complexas well as orientation.

3. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy

In this subtype of cerebral palsy, hypotonia and the presence of involuntary dystonic or choreic movements, often in the form of a contraction. They are especially visible in the muscles of the face, which together with the hearing problems that they also usually have can generate great difficulties in the area of ​​communication.

Etiology (causes)

The causes of cerebral palsy can be very varied, but are generally due to the presence of alterations or injuries during fetal development, during childbirth or in the first years after birth.

These alterations and injuries are usually congenital, but they can also be acquired throughout development. Some of the acquired disorders can be meningitis, encephalitis and intrauterine infections. Also cardiovascular accidents, trauma, or anoxia may occur during development or delivery. On some occasions there have been cases of cerebral palsy derived from mistreatment in the form of hitting or shaking babies.

Treatment

Although it is a condition that has no cure since it is produced by a chronic injury and irreversible, it is possible to perform various treatments from a multidisciplinary perspective that allows to the individual reinforce and optimize their capacities, create and improve communication and ultimately to ensure that it reaches the highest possible level of development and well-being.

At the medical level, many different interventions may be required depending on the difficulties that arise, from the application of relaxing and anticonvulsant drugs to the use of surgery to treat joint deformations or to place gastric tubes. At the level of prevention, it is necessary to take care of the diet during pregnancy (especially in the face of conditions such as hypertension or diabetes) and avoid the consumption of substances such as alcohol or drugs.

One of the strategies to use is occupational therapy, which allows adequate stimulation of the child. The use of physical therapy and speech therapy is also required, so that movement and communication skills are reinforced as much as possible.

Another aspect to take into account, and one of those that requires more attention, is education, since the symptomatology greatly hinders normative learning. It is necessary to establish individualized plans for these children and provide them with the necessary supports. It is necessary to stimulate these subjects and reinforce the functions and basic tasks of daily life, or educate the environment or caregivers in case they are not fending for themselves.

Psychoeducation is essential not only for the minor, but also for her family. It is also recommended to attend support groups in which the minor and family can meet and share experiences, thoughts, doubts and feelings.

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Bibliographic references:

• Colver, A.; Fairhurst, C. and Pharoah, P.O.D. (2014). Cerebral palsy. Lancet, 583 (9924): 1240-1249.

• Rosenbaum, P.; Paneth, N.; Leviton, A.; Goldstein, M. & Bax, M. (April, 2006). A report: The definition and classification of Cerebral Palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 49: 1-44.