For many parents today having their child diagnosed with suffering from cerebral palsy can be extremely devastating for all concerned. In this article, we take a look at what may be the causes of cerebral palsy in children and the ways in which it can possibly be treated.
Cerebral Palsy is in fact not a disease but a disorder, which affects a child’s posture and the way in which they move and has been caused by damage to a particular area of the brain as the child is developing. However, with this particular disorder the damage that has been caused to the child’s brain is not progressive. But even so just because no further damage is caused to the brain the symptoms associated with it do and as they grow older they become more evident.
Along with having problems with their posture and movements, some children may suffer from other problems because of their brain not functioning correctly. For around 60% of all children who suffer from this disorder they will have learning difficulties. Whilst around 20% of all children who suffer from this disorder will have a problem with their hearing including a complete loss of it. Then 30% of these children will suffer from a problem known as squint, which because of some of the problems mentioned will result in them suffering from language and speech problems.
As well as the problems, we have mentioned above in relation to cerebral palsy of those children who do suffer from this disorder, around 40% of them will suffer from epilepsy. So life for these children is going to be extremely difficult and will need constant care and attention.
Today one in every 500 babies will be affected by this particular disorder and those who are born premature or they weigh less than they should when being born at a higher risk of suffering from Cerebral Palsy. But also, children whose birth is completely normal but who unfortunately do not develop whilst in the womb may be at a higher risk of being diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.
The biggest problem with Cerebral Palsy in children is that it cannot be cured. However, there are medications and treatments, which can help to improve the child’s quality of life. For some children who suffer from the more severe form of cerebral palsy known as “Spastic Cerebral Palsy” the doctors may choose to carry out surgery in order to treat the problems associated with the muscle spasms that these children will suffer from.
In all cases of Cerebral Palsy in children today, a team of specialists will work along side the parents to help the child cope with the disorder. Through their work, a child who suffers from either moderate or mild case of this disorder should then hopefully be able to lead a relatively normal life, which should last as long as most other children.
