What are the effects?

Cerebral palsy is characterized by an inability to fully control motor function, particularly muscle control and coordination. Depending on which areas of the brain have been damaged, one or more of the following may occur: muscle tightness or spastically; involuntary movement; disturbance in gait or mobility, difficulty in swallowing and problems with speech. In addition, the following may occur: abnormal sensation and perception; impairment of sight, hearing or speech, seizures; and/or mental retardation. Other problems that may arise are difficulties in feeding, bladder and bowl control, problems with breathing because of postural difficulties, skin disorders because of pressure sores, and learning disabilities.

What are the causes?

A large number of factors which can injure the developing brain may produce cerebral palsy. Risk factors for cerebral palsy include the following: premature birth; inability of the placenta to provide the developing fetus with oxygen; growth functions, etc.; low birth weight; RH or A-B-O blood type incompatibility between mother and infant; infection of the mother with German measles or other virus diseases in early pregnancy; bacteria that directly or indirectly attack the infant's central nervous system, and prolonged loss of oxygen during the birthing process. Most causes of cerebral palsy are related to the developmental and childbearing processes and, since the condition is not inherited, the condition is often called "congenital" cerebral palsy. A less common type is "acquired" cerebral palsy, usually occurring before two years of age. Head injury is the most frequent acquired cause, usually the result of motor vehicle accidents, falls, or child abuse; another cause is brain infection.

Are there different types of cerebral palsy?

There are three main types: spastic -- stiff and difficult movement; athetoid -- involuntary and uncontrolled movement; ataxic -- disturbed sense of balance and depth perception. There may be a mixture of these types for any individual. Other types do occur, although infrequently. 
How many people have cerebral palsy?

It is estimated that some 500,000 children and adults in the United States manifest one or more of the symptoms of cerebral palsy. Currently, about 5,000 babies and infants are diagnosed with the condition each year. In addition, some 1,200 - 1,500 preschool age children are recognized each year to have cerebral palsy.

Can it be prevented?

Yes. Measures of prevention are increasingly possible today. Pregnant women are tested routinely for the Rh factor and, if Rh negative, they can be immunized within 72 hours after the birth (or after the pregnancy terminates) and thereby prevent adverse consequences of blood incompatibility in a subsequent pregnancy. If the woman has not been immunized, the consequences of blood incompatibility in the newborn can be prevented by exchange transfusion in the baby. If a newborn baby has jaundice, this can be treated with phytotherapy in the hospital nursery. Immunization against measles for all women who have not had measles and are susceptible to becoming pregnant is an essential preventive measure. Other preventive programs are directed towards the prevention of prematurity; reducing exposure of pregnant women to virus and other infections; recognition and treatment of bacterial infection of the maternal reproductive and urinary tracts; avoiding unnecessary exposure to X-rays, drugs and medications; and the control of diabetes, anemia and other nutritional deficiencies. Of great importance are optimal well-being prior to conception, adequate prenatal care, and protecting infants from accidents or injury.

Can cerebral palsy be treated?

"Management" is a better word than "treatment." Management consists of helping the child achieve maximum potential in growth and development. This should be started as early as possible with identification of the very young child who may have a developmental disorder. A management program can then be started promptly wherein programs, physicians, therapists, educators, nurses, social workers, and other professionals assist the family as well as the child. Certain medications, surgery, and braces may be used to improve nerve and muscle coordination and prevent dysfunction.

As individuals mature, they may require support services such as personal assistance services, continuing therapy, educational and vocational training, independent living services, counseling, transportation, recreation/leisure programs, and employment opportunities, all essential to the developing adult. People with cerebral palsy can go to school, have jobs, get married, raise families, and live in homes of their own. Most of all, people with cerebral palsy need the opportunity for independence and full inclusion in our society.

Is research being done on cerebral palsy?

Yes. Active national programs of research are being vigorously pursued to prevent cerebral palsy and improve the quality of life for persons with cerebral palsy. The three organizations with major research programs are the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation™ in the private sector, and the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research in the government sector. The research questions being addressed include:

• What are the factors that predispose the developing fetal brain to
injury? Can these factors be eliminated or minimized?
• What are the causes of injury to the developing fetal brain? Can the
developing fetal and newborn brain be protected? What are the
causes of developmental delays and failure to thrive?
• Why are low birth weight in the full-term infant and prematurity
important risk factors for cerebral palsy?
• Can cerebral palsy be diagnosed before birth and better diagnosed
shortly after birth?
• Which available treatments are most effective for specific
disabilities of persons with cerebral palsy?
• Based on new knowledge now available in the medical, surgical,
behavioral and bioengineering sciences, what improvements can be
made in the quality of life of people with cerebral palsy?
• What are the effects of aging on a person with disabilities due to
cerebral palsy?
• Can the damaged brain be "repaired"?

What is UCP?

Founded in 1949, UCP™ is a nationwide network of 135 state and local non-profit agencies (UCP™ affiliates) which provide programs and services and conducts public and professional education programs relevant to cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Direct services provided by UCP™  affiliates to children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities and their families include the following: medical diagnosis, evaluation and treatment; therapy, assistive technology; information and referral; early intervention; employment; individual and family support; social and recreation programs; community inclusion and independent living; advocacy and community education. More than 30,000 people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities and their families receive assistance from UCP™ affiliates each day. UCP™ is the largest health charity in America and is also one of the most efficient with its funds. MONEY magazine has rated UCP™ as one of America's Top Five health charities several year in a row, with more than 85 percent of its funds spent directly on programs and services. In Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine's ranking of America's 100 most efficient charities, UCP™ was one of only 16 of the 100 organizations listed to receive the highest ranking of A or better from the American Institute of Philanthropy, a charity watchdog group. 

What is the UCP Research and Educational Foundation™?

The UCP Research and Educational Foundation™ is the nation's principal non-government agency sponsoring research directly relevant to the presentation of cerebral palsy and improvement in the quality of life of persons with disabilities due to cerebral palsy and related developmental disorders. In its 15-year history, the Foundation has been instrumental in eliminating two of the major causes of cerebral palsy, German measles and maternal-child blood type incompatibility. The Foundation is now focusing its attention on the remaining major causes such as low birth weight, prematurity, and the effects of maternal infection on the developing brain. It is also exploring the development of improved methods for mobility, communication and the general well being of children and adults with developmental disorders of the brain.

 
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