Cerebral Palsy Research Paper

Cerebral palsy is the term given to a general group of nonspecific neuromuscular disorders that cause behavioral abnormalities. The condition was originally thought to be caused by asphyxia and trauma during pregnancy; however, through extensive research many divisions of cerebral palsy emerged. Such categories include spastic, athetoid, and ataxic cerebral palsy. Today over half a percent of the worlds population is subject to this condition of the brain. Two to four out of a thousand are affected in the industrialized United States; however, with the introduction of new preventive measures the numbers of cerebral palsy victims born each year are expected to decline. (Anee Stanford, General Information about Cerebral Palsy, page 1&2)

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)

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.

There are three main types of cerebral palsy. The first type of CP is that of Spastic Cerebral Palsy and it is often accompanied with a weakness and stiffness in muscles (Aspinall, 2007). Therefore, movements are much harder to perform and to control. Muscle weakness will sometimes make it impossible for some people to stand or move on their own while muscle stiffness prevents many to fully extend their limbs. Spastic CP is the most common type of CP in the world, and nearly eighty percent of all CP cases are of this type (Aspinall, 2007). The second type of CP is that of Athetoid Cerebral Palsy and it is caused by damage to the cerebellum and the basal ganglia (Aspinall, 2007). When damage occurs in these areas movements and body posture are affected greatly and both are less coordinated (Colledge, 1999). Moreover, the imbalance caused by the damage to these areas result in problems with speech, eating, and picking up objects (Aspinall, 2007). Nearly ten percent of all CP cases are those of Athetoid CP (Aspinall 2007). The third type of CP is that of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy. Ataxic children are usually shaky and have a poor sense of balance as well as bad depth perception (Aspinall, 2007). However, a child with Ataxic CP may have a chance of living an independent life if therapy is started at a young age.

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 disorder where there is a lesion on the brain or abnormal brain growth which causes problem with movement and posture. Children may have issues with paralysis, extreme weakness, lack of coordination, involuntary motor functions.

movement problems. The most common type of Cerebral Palsy is spastic, which is caused by

Cerebral Palsy, for those who don't know, is a disability that is caused by abnormal development of damage to part of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture. These problems mostly occur during pregnancy, however it has been known to occur during childbirth and shortly after birth. The disability itself is when a young child (the individual will have this condition forever, the symptoms are just noticed when they're young and growing) has weak muscles and tremors. There may also be problems with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing and speaking. Often babies with Cerebral Palsy do not sit, roll over, or walk as young as some children. Seizures happen in 1/3 children with Cerebral Palsy. My sister is lucky enough not to get seizures, but it does effect others.

Cerebral Palsy is a neuromuscular disorder that causes many disabilities in those affected. This disorder is diagnosed usually within the first two years of life due to neurological delays. It is believed that these neurological delays are due to brain damage received

Severe signs of Cerebral Palsy can occur immediately after childbirth, which usually involves trouble swallowing, sucking, a frail cry, stiff or very relaxed body, or in serious cases, seizures. Some infants may also experience Jaundice, which is yellowing of skin or eyes, strokes caused by clogged blood vessels, and infections of the brain, such a Meningitis or Encephalitis. Though these symptoms may appear at birth, they may not start to have full effect on infant until 1 to 3 years old. Problems relating to Cerebral Palsy may become more distinct over a period of time or may develop as child grows, which then calls for a diagnosis, but does come to a cease of progression. The most common symptoms of patients diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy is problems affecting motor skills and epilepsy, which is recurring episodes of sensory disturbance or loss of consciousness. Studies show that these symptoms occur in about half of the cases involving Cerebral Palsy. Though, symptoms involving CP does differ from child to child, while one may have signs of mental retardation while another may be completely respondent and intelligent. Motor skills affected by this disorder include inability to keep correct posture or balance, move smoothly or swiftly, with stand leg and arm coordination, joint stiffness, and limited range of movement. Some patients who

Cerebral Palsy is a disorder that affects muscle movement and motor skills so people with this disorder have really bad muscle coordination they have bad balance and that is caused by brain damage that happens before or during a baby’s birth or during first 3-5 years of a child’s life.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a term that encompasses a group of non-progressive syndromes of posture and motor problems next to lesions in the brain from early development (Appleton & Gupta, 2001). This disorder is caused by disturbances to the fetal or infant central nervous system (Jones, Morgan, Shelton, & Thorogood, 2007). There are two types of cerebral palsy, spastic and non spastic (Jones, Morgan, Shelton, & Thorogood, 2007). CP has a variety of signs and symptoms that coincide with other neurodegenerative disorders. The clinical signs of cerebral palsy are the following: muscle tone abnormalities, impaired motor coordination and control, dysarthria, and fine motor dysfunction. In some cases these are associated with

Cerebral Palsy hereinafter referred to as (“CP”) is a congenital disorder (existing at or before birth). It is a permanent condition which impairs muscle coordination, tone and movement. CP usually is caused by brain injury or malformation which happens before and/or during a baby’s birth as well as during the first three to five years of a child’s life. There are four types of brain damage which

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that resulted from a defect in the brain before, at birth, or after birth (CDC, 2014). In other words, CP affects body movement and muscles by hindering the muscles from performing regular activity such as walking (Straub & Obrzut, 2009). The common known cause of brain damage during birth is asphyxia, which means lack of oxygen (CDC, 2014). However, new studies suggested that cerebral palsy related to various causes such as viral infections. In addition, CP is divided into congenital and acquired. Congenital CP occurs before or during birth while acquired CP occurs after 28 days of birth. Each type has risk factors attached to it. For instance, congenital CP can affect the premature baby and low weight baby (CDC, 2014). Furthermore, the infected mother with cytomegalovirus (CMV), for instant, can have a baby with congenital cerebral palsy. In contrast, acquired cerebral palsy are caused by bacterial infection, head injury and stroke in case of cerebrovascular damage.

Cerebral palsy is caused by brain injuries or brain malformation that occurs while the brain is developing, before, during, or after birth. As a result of the brain damage a child's muscle control, muscle coordination, reflex, posture, balance, and muscle tone is affected. It can also impact the fine and gross child's motor skills, and oral motor functioning.