Cerebral palsy is a disease of movement, muscle tone or body posture.
The pathology is formed when the immature, underdeveloped brain is damaged, which is mostly manifested before birth. Symptoms characteristic of the disease appear in infants or children of preschool age.
In most cases, the pathology cannot be prevented, although it is possible to reduce the risk with certain methods, for example, during pregnancy, you should follow a healthy lifestyle, which minimizes the complications of pregnancy. Rarely, but cerebral palsy can develop on the background of brain damage suffered in childhood - it is necessary for the parent to take safety measures (the carmust be equipped with a child seat, buy a bicycle helmet for the little person, etc.).
Diagnosis
Cerebral palsy signs and symptoms become apparent over time, so diagnosis may be difficult or impossible for several months after birth.
In some clinical cases, with mild symptoms, the diagnosis is much more difficult and becomes possible only in relatively old age.
The following types of studies are prescribed:
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- Ultrasound of the skull;
- Electroencephalogram;
- Blood and urine analysis to screen for metabolic problems or genetic disorders.
Treatment
Cerebral palsy cannot be completely cured.
Various methods are provided, the main goal of which is to improve the patient's quality of life.
Specialists from different fields should be involved in the treatment process - patients with this diagnosis need lifelong treatment and care, the course changes depending on the symptoms.
Treatment may include medication, therapy, or surgery.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cerebral-palsy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354005
