What is cerebral palsy? What are the symptoms? What can you do to prevent it? We'll discuss the causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention below. Learn more about cerebral palsy from the resources below! Here are some tips to help you recognize your child's symptoms and make the best decision for your child's future. Read on to find out what you can do to prevent cerebral palsy. Here are some causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention for cerebral palsy. Symptoms Symptoms of cerebral palsy may be similar to symptoms of other conditions. For example, children with CP may have exaggerated reflexes or floppiness in the trunk, and uncontrolled movements in their arms and legs. Their speech may be difficult to understand due to the difficulty controlling the tongue or vocal cords. Some of these symptoms may be temporary and disappear while the child is sleeping. Children with CP may also have abnormal reflexes in both arms and legs, such as hyperreflexia and spasticity. The muscles of these limbs are underdeveloped and may not develop properly. While many people have heard of the symptoms of cerebral palsy, they may not be as obvious as the ones that are observable to others. Some of these symptoms can be soreness in the arm or leg, a tendency to not hold one's head up, and a baby's inability to hold his or her head up. However, some signs of cerebral palsy may not be apparent right away, and the diagnosis may be based on clinical signs or developmental delays. When a child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a doctor will examine the child thoroughly. During this examination, they will check the child's muscle tone and voluntary movements. They will also check for signs of spasticity, including unusual postures. CT scans, which use X-rays to take pictures of the brain, may also be used to confirm the condition. The resulting images can reveal damage to the body's movement and balance areas. While symptoms of cerebral palsy vary from baby to child, early signs may be observable. Parents should watch for any developmental delays, unusual postures, or muscle tone. Early detection is key to preventing the loss of function. Early detection is the key to preventing the condition from progressing to the stage where it is difficult to reverse. In addition to abnormal postures, a baby may be slow to develop and may even not reach the milestones at all. While the majority of cases of cerebral palsy cannot be prevented, parents should be prepared for the inevitable complications of the condition. Vaccinations can prevent fetal damage by preventing German measles or rubella from developing in the womb. Additionally, proper prenatal care can help prevent low birth weight and other health problems. A child with cerebral palsy may also have problems swallowing. If a child experiences problems swallowing, speech and language therapy can help. Causes There are various causes of cerebral palsy, including genetics, prematurity, and injury to the brain. Although it is possible to develop the disorder without any of the above risk factors, cerebral palsy is most often a result of birth trauma. The fetal brain is deprived of oxygen and develops abnormalities during pregnancy and delivery. Some children are also injured during birth or later in life from accidents. Cerebral palsy causes are divided into two main types - congenital and acquired. Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type, which is characterized by permanent muscle contraction. The condition causes joint paralysis and can affect all four limbs. Affected children may have extremely small limbs and walk with a scissors gait, with their knees almost touching. Some sufferers also have difficulty with depth perception, and can display signs of tremors and shakiness. Another common cause of cerebral palsy is oxygen deprivation. The baby should receive adequate oxygen during pregnancy, so doctors must monitor the placenta to ensure it does not detach during delivery. Another cause is negligent use of vacuum extractors and forceps by doctors. Similarly, infections during pregnancy may lead to cerebral palsy. Genetic mutations have also been linked to cerebral palsy. Birth injury is another common cause of cerebral palsy. Infant brains are often damaged during delivery, when oxygen supply is interrupted. While cerebral palsy is a life-long condition, it can be prevented. Some of the most common causes include infections during pregnancy and trauma during labor and delivery. Some factors can even be prevented, such as high fevers and low birth weight. In addition to infection, other risks ofcerebral palsy are high due to premature birth. Other causes of cerebral palsy include malnutrition, which can affect growth and cause the bones to weaken. Some patients may also develop depression. This can be exacerbated by social isolation. Additionally, some people with cerebral palsy have breathing and heart problems. Because of the constant wear and tear on the body, they can also develop other health conditions. For example, they may experience breathing problems or heart disease, which are related to the weakened muscles and bones. Treatments The treatments for cerebral palsy are available through a number of different techniques. Physical therapies, such as exercise, can help patients learn to move their bodies in new ways. Neurosurgery is often used, and may be recommended if a patient has severe physical or cognitive problems. Vision correction therapies may improve an individual's vision, while gastroenterology may improve bowel and bladder movements. A team of doctors and specialists must coordinate these treatments to ensure that the most appropriate therapy is given to the child. In some severe cases of cerebral palsy, spasticity becomes apparent shortly after birth and never completely disappears. Interestingly, the deformities of the extremities are a result of spasticity, not birth deformities. Treatments for spasticity may include oral medication, botox injections, physical therapy, braces, or orthopedic surgery. While no single treatment works for every child, the use of braces and other medical equipment may be recommended for patients with varying degrees of spasticity. Orthopedic surgery is another treatment for cerebral palsy. This procedure allows a surgeon to lengthen muscles and realign bones. It helps children with CP improve their mobility and posture. Other procedures, like selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), may improve a child's mobility. SDR improves balance and motor control. Surgery can also improve the condition of children with severe muscle spasticity. Among the most common treatments for cerebral palsy, physical therapy involves exercises to improve flexibility, strength, and coordination. This therapy is designed to help children of all ages, as long as it's a part of the child's overall physical development. A physical therapist will consider the child's age and any current problems before recommending a therapy program. Early intervention is essential to prevent contracture and improve mobility in the future. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, your health care provider may recommend several different types of physical therapy. Physiotherapists are trained to evaluate and correct the kinematics of the body. They may also prescribe arm braces or leg braces. An occupational therapist specializes in human participation and can help improve the patient's ability to speak. Oral motor therapists can also help with eating problems. They can teach the child how to swallow food and practice oral motor skills. Prevention There are many preventative measures for cerebral palsy, such as early prenatal care and vaccinations. Premature birth is associated with high risk of cerebral palsy, but regular care during pregnancy helps to prevent complications, including infection and low birth weight. It is also important to avoid drinking alcohol and illegal drugs, as these are known to increase the risk of cerebral palsy. Furthermore, prevention of head injuries during childhood can be achieved by using car seats, bicycle helmets, safety rails, and appropriate supervision. There are a number of factors that can increase the risk for cerebral palsy, including infections during pregnancy and exposure to toxic chemicals. Infections can damage the developing brain through inflammation. German measles is an infection that can be prevented with a vaccine, while herpes can be transferred to an unborn child through the placenta and womb. Premature birth increases the risk for cerebral palsy. Despite being unable to prevent 100% of cases of Cerebral Palsy, expectant parents can help prevent it by being informed and requesting information. In the process of childbirth, parents must ask questions, learn about the various risks associated with cerebral palsy, and be advocates for their child. Parents are the biggest influence on the development of their child. Parents must ask questions and seek information about various risks, complications, and treatments to ensure their baby is healthy. The government's role in Cerebral Palsy prevention centers on funding research, collecting data, and examining causal factors. CDC and the National Institutes of Health both have been instrumental in this endeavor. These efforts have increased public knowledge and allocated funding for research. But the government has yet to find a cure for cerebral palsy. Therefore, prevention efforts are still ongoing. The government must do more to prevent the disease. Among the causes of cerebral palsy, preterm birth is one of the most significant. Preterm birth is the leading cause of death and disability in children worldwide. In developed countries, the prevalence of cerebral palsy is two to three per thousand live births. This risk rises exponentially with decreasing gestational age. For extremely preterm infants, the risk of cerebral palsy is as high as 100 percent greater than in term babies.