Causes Of Cerebral Palsy

There are many different types of cerebral palsy. “Types of cerebral palsy are classified by the type of movement problems caused by brain impairment, or by the parts of the body that are affected.” (Mecham, 1986)

Spastic cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that unfolds in the developing brain - either right before birth or shortly after, typically before the child turns one year of age. Head injuries that occur several weeks after birth may also cause spastic cerebral palsy. Spastic cerebral palsy makes up roughly eighty percent of all cerebral palsy cases, since there are other types; spastic is considered to be the most common. Spastic cerebral palsy causes neuromuscular mobility impairment meaning that there is a lack in connection between the nerves and muscles.

The human body is made up of many organ systems that consist of organs and tissues of different anatomies and diverse nomenclature. These organs systems, organs and tissues are prone to thousands of diseases, and one of these diseases is cerebral palsy, which is a disease of the nervous system in simple terms. Research relating to cerebral palsy is carried out, whereby the disorder is described, along with its history, and how it affects the nervous system and the brain. The anatomy of the body systems involves with regard to this disorder, the effects of the disorder on these body systems and other body systems are also researched and discussed. Furthermore, the research focuses on the causes of cerebral palsy, its complications, signs, and symptoms, and the diagnosis of the disorder, along with its treatment and side effects of the treatment. A recap of the research focusing on prevention strategies, the anatomy and physiology of cerebral palsy and the nervous system is presented.

Cerebral palsy (CP) has been described as a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture that are attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occurred in the developing foetal or infant brain (Rosenbaum et al. 2007). Since I did not know that much about CP, I went

Any type of brain disease can cause epilepsy; it also can develop as a result of brain damage from other disorders. For example, brain tumors, alcoholism, and Alzheimer's disease often cause epilepsy because they change the way brain usually works. Strokes, heart attacks, and other conditions that deprive the brain of oxygen also can sometimes cause epilepsy. Other more rare causes of epilepsy are prenatal injuries that come about from poor nutrition or maternal infections; poisoning by lead or carbon monoxide; or overdose of prescription antidepressants or street drugs. There are still many patients for whom the cause of their epilepsy cannot be identified (idiopathic epilepsy).

Twenty percent of cerebral palsy cases result from a brain injury that occurs during the birthing process. Acquired cerebral palsy accounts for around ten percent of cerebral palsy cases and typically occurs in the first few months or years of life as a result of head injuries, vehicle accidents, or bacterial meningitis.

The word “cerebral” means the brain and the word “palsy” means muscle weakness and poor control. Children or adults can be born with Cerebral Palsy or might be diagnosed later in life. The disorder may occur during the woman’s pregnancy, child’s birth, or after the child

There are two main types of PPIS which are defined as Arterial Presumed Perinatal Stroke (APPS) which “are due to an occlusion of a brain artery” (University of Calgary, 2017) and Periventricular Venous Infarction (PVI) that are strictly fetal strokes where “Bleeding of the germinal matrix is the primary problem” (University of Calgary, 2017). Presumed Perinatal Ischemic Strokes are so named because they occur between the middle of a mother’s second trimester into the first year of life of the child and are diagnosed after the stroke has occurred, usually later in the development of the patient. Several things can lead to perinatal ischemic strokes and each patient is different depending on surrounding circumstances as well as personal environments. However, one of the most common causes of a perinatal ischemic stroke is a blood clot forming in the heart and traveling to the brain which resulting in hypoxia. This can be a result of congenital heart problems like abnormal valves, infections, or diseases. One such disease is called sickle cell which is results in the red blood cells not carrying enough oxygen to the brain causing a stroke to occur. PPIS can also be caused by any trauma that injures the large arteries and results in a loss of

Premature infants are particularly susceptible to Cerebral Palsy, as are those who have a severe illness during the first few years of life. Physical trauma or severe dehydration, both of which can cause brain damage, may also result in Cerebral

Cerebral Palsy is a non-progressive disorder of movement and posture. It is estimated that for every 1000 live births in the United States, 2-3 babies are born with this condition. Research shows that babies who are born preterm are at a heightened risk of having Cerebral Palsy.

Ischemic Stroke is death of an area of brain tissue that is a result of an inadequate blood and oxygen supply to the brain due to blockage of an artery. High blood pressure is the leading cause of this type of stroke and responsible for about 87% of strokes that occur. This type of stroke can happen within 2

Hemorrhagic strokes occur when blood vessels to the brain leak blood or burst open, the blood puts pressure onto the brain as it spreads and fills the crevices between the skull and the brain until the person has a stroke. The leaking of blood, or the bursting open of the blood vessels can be caused by hypertension, trauma, blood thinning medication, and aneurysms (Mcintosh 13). There are two common types of Hemorrhagic strokes, the most common one is Intracerebral Hemorrhagic, and the other less common type is Subarachnoid Hemorrhagic (Mcintosh 14). In an Intracerebral Hemorrhagic brain tissue is flooded with blood when a blood vessel bursts open (Mcintosh 14). However, in a Subarachnoid Hemorrhagic stroke, bleeding occurs in the subarachnoid space (area between the brain and the tissue it covers) (Mcintosh 14). Hemorrhagic strokes are preventable as they are caused by treatable conditions such as high blood pressure (Mcintosh

Did you know one in three people with Cerebral Palsy cannot talk and one in four cannot talk ("How Does Cerebral Palsy Affect People?")? Cerebral Palsy is a disorder that impairs control of movement due to damage to the developing brain. This disorder develops at the age of two or three and it is a non-progressive brain disorder. It is one of the most common causes of childhood disability ("Understanding Cerebral Palsy -- the Basics."). Cerebral Palsy affects a person physically, socially, and educationally.

Intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke occurs when vessels within the brain leaks blood into the brain itself. It often happens without warning. This type of stroke represents about 10% of all strokes. The most common cause is uncontrolled high blood pressure or (Hypertension.) Hypertension can cause small arteries inside the brain to become brittle and susceptible to cracking and rupture. Less often it may result from a blood vessel defect present since birth.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is brain damage. It cannot be cured, it is not contagious, it is not a disease, and it does not get worse. According to Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, "Cerebral Palsy is a broad term for various nonprogressive disorders of motor function in people, resulting from brain damage around the time of birth. Damage to the brain could occur before, during, or shortly after birth"(“Cerebral”). Since the damage is done during the brain’s formation, and occurs in the part of the brain that controls motor and muscle functions, people with CP might have problems with motor skills, muscle tone, muscle weakness, reflexes, balance, excessive drooling, difficulties swallowing or speaking, shaking, tremors, and