Spastic Cerebral Palsy – Characterized by muscle stiffness and permanent contractions.
Athetoid or Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy – Characterized by uncontrolled, slow writhing movements.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy – Characterized by poor coordination and balance
A person with cerebral palsy may exhibit one or more of the following effects:
- Muscle tightness or spasticity
- Involuntary movement
- Disturbance in gait or mobility
- Difficulty in swallowing and problems with speech
An individual with cerebral palsy may also exhibit:
- Difficulty in feeding
- Impairment of sight, hearing or speech
- Abnormal sensation and perception
- Seizures
- Difficulty with bladder and bowel control
- Mental retardation
- Learning difficulties
- Problems with breathing because of postural difficulties
- Skin disorders because of pressure sores
The Risk Factors
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Severe jaundice shortly after birth
- Bacterial infection of the mother, fetus or infant
- German measles or other viral diseases in early pregnancy
- Lack of growth factors during the birthing process
- RH blood type incompatibility between mother and infant
- Inability of the placenta to provide the developing fetus with oxygen and nutrients
At this time, there is no cure for the developmental brain damage that causes cerebral palsy. Training and therapy, however, can help improve muscle function and coordination.
