Cerebral Diplegia

It is a non developing neuromuscular illness bringing about mild to severe disabilities during life.This problem is demonstrated as several persisting qualitative motor problems that can be found in young children due to destruction of the mental faculties during delivery or due to certain pathological conditions within the intrauterine life.The neurological troubles are many but non progressive in character. Around 2 per 100 live delivery is having this problem.This illness has no hereditary development.

Factors behind the cerebral palsy: 1) Damage to the brain during birth. 2) As a side-effect of forceps delivery. 3) A shortage of oxygen supply to the baby at the time of delivery. 4) Infections during delivery.

Signs and manifestations of cerebral palsy:-- The signs and symptoms may not be the same in all newborns afflicted.Based upon the damage to the brain there could be minor to serious lesions. Mild cases:- 20% children are going to have minor disability. Average situations:-50% cases are experiencing moderate disability.The affected children require self help for assisting their damaged ambulation potential. Critical situations:-About 30% of the affected children are totally incapacitated and bedridden and they always require attention from others.

Unusual results in cerebral palsy:- 1, Unusual neonatal reflexes. 2, Rigidity of all muscles with awkward motion. 3, Extension of extremities on vertical suspension of the infant. 4, Scissoring of the lower limbs due to spasm of the adductor muscles of the thigh. 5, In severe conditions the back flex backwards like an arch. 6, May have complete or partial paralysis. 7, Arrest of neurological and behavioral development. 8, Swallowing could be complicated in some cases. 9, Drooling of saliva. 10, Minor to acute mental retardness. 11, Unusual movements are seen in some cases. 12, Tremors with typical movements. 13, If cerebellum is damaged there will be loss of muscle tone with trouble in walking. 14, Total or partial loss of hearing. 15, Speech could be disturbed. 16, Squint and other visual problems may be involved. 17, Convulsions may be seen in some children.

Cerebral palsy is diagnosed by detailed clinical assessment and by eliminating other similar diseases such as neurological tumour, progressive atrophy etc. All research such as CT scan, MRI and regular investigations are required to rule out other illnesses.

Management of carebral palsy:-- Basic treatment: This consists of appropriate diet regime and personal attention. Symptomatic medicines are needed to lessen convulsions as well as muscle rigidity. Diazepam can lessen spasticity and athetosis. Dantrolene sodium aids to relax skeletal muscles.

Physiotherapy: Here massage, workout, hydrotherapy and so on are needed. Exceptional training is given to practice jogging ,swallowing as well as talking. The affected children are also trained to hold articles for regular exercises.

Rehabilitation: Ethical and social support ought to be offered to these children. They should be send to special institutions where special training could be granted by trained personnel. Psychologically retarded kids need special training. Based on the disability special instruments and equipment are given for locomotion and to assist their day to day routines. Work remedy: This is provided by work practitioners. They teach the impaired people to perform some suitable works to ensure that these people can have their personal income.