Cerebral Palsy
Definition
Epidemiology
Incidence: 1.5-2.5:1,000 live births (industrialized nations)
Life expectancy is dependent on the degree of mobility and intellectual impairment, not on
severity of CNS lesion
Aetiology
- A symptom complex, not a disease
- Nonprogressive central motor impairment syndrome due to insult to or anomaly of the immature CNS, extent of intellectual impairment varies, presentation of the impairment changes with age
Epidemiology
Incidence: 1.5-2.5:1,000 live births (industrialized nations)
Life expectancy is dependent on the degree of mobility and intellectual impairment, not on
severity of CNS lesion
Aetiology
- Often obscure, no definite aetiology identified in 1/3 of cases
- Only 10% related to intrapartum asphyxia
- 10% due to postnatal insult (infections, asphyxia, prematurity with intraventricular haemorrhage and trauma)
- Association with low birth weight babies
Investigations
May include metabolics, chromosome studies, serology, neuroimaging, EMG, EEG (if seizures),
ophthalmology, audiology
Management
Source
Toronto Notes 2012
May include metabolics, chromosome studies, serology, neuroimaging, EMG, EEG (if seizures),
ophthalmology, audiology
Management
- Maximize potential through multidisciplinary services; important for family to be connected with various support systems
- Orthopedic management (e.g. dislocations, contractures, rhizotomy)
- Management of symptoms: spasticity (baclofen, Botox•), constipation (stool softeners)
Source
Toronto Notes 2012