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Cerebral Palsy

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  • Not gaining enough weight
  • Choking
  • Lung infections
  • Trouble thinking and learning
  • Problems with hearing and speaking
  • Trouble seeing " � Many children with cerebral palsy have one eye that turns in or out.
  • Seizures - Seizures are waves of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They can make a child pass out, or move or behave strangely.
  • Short limbs " � A child with symptoms of cerebral palsy on one side of the body might have a shorter leg or arm on the affected side.
  • A curved spine (called "scoliosis " �)
  • Stiff joints
  • Problems with "spatial awareness " � " � This means the child cannot tell the position of his or her arm, leg, or hand.

  • Are there tests for cerebral palsy? " � Yes. Your child's doctor or nurse might be able to tell if your child has cerebral palsy by doing an exam and learning about your child's symptoms. But doctors can't always tell because children develop at different rates during the first 2 years of life. He or she might refer you to a specialist to help find out if your child has cerebral palsy. � �
    Possible tests include: � �
    • An MRI " � This is an imaging test that takes pictures of the inside of the brain.
    • An EEG " � An EEG is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain and records brain wave patterns. A doctor might do this test if your child has seizures.

    How is cerebral palsy treated? " � Your doctor will refer you to an "early intervention " � program. These programs have different types of experts. They will teach you how to help your child do everyday things he or she might have trouble doing. These include eating, speaking, walking, and learning. � �
    Treatments include: � �
    • Medicines " � Your child's doctor might prescribe medicines that help treat symptoms such as stiff muscles, unusual body movements, or seizures.
    • Equipment " � These include devices such as leg braces, walkers, or a wheelchair to help your child get around.
    • Nutrition " � Some children need special diets to help them gain enough weight to be healthy. Some children need to get some or all of their food through a tube that goes directly into the stomach. This is called a "gastrostomy tube " � or "g-tube. " �
    • Surgery " � For children with very severe symptoms, doctors sometimes do surgery to put the child's legs or arms into a correct position.

    What will my child's life be like? " � Children with mild forms of cerebral palsy often live as long as people who don't have the disorder. Children with more serious forms of the disease might not live as long. Special equipment and teaching can help your child move and learn as much as he or she can. � �
    All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
    This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
    Topic 82901 Version 2.0 � �
    Release: 22.8 - C22.208 � �
    � � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �


    � �
    table 1Cerebral palsy symptoms at different agesView Largetable 1Cerebral palsy symptoms at different ages

    The symptoms of cerebral palsy change as babies grow older. Possible symptoms from birth to age 2 are listed below.

    A baby younger than 6 months might:

    Have trouble holding up his or her head when picked up

    Have a stiff or floppy body

    Stretch his or her back and neck away when being held. (Your baby might seem to be pushing away from you.)

    Cross or stiffen his or her legs when picked up

    A baby older than 6 months might:

    Have trouble controlling his or her neck

    Reach with only 1 hand and keep the other hand in a fist

    A baby older than 10 months might:

    Crawl by pushing off with 1 hand and leg while dragging the other hand and leg

    Not sit by him or herself

    A child older than 1 year might:

    Not crawl

    Not be able to stand up when holding onto something

    A child older than 2 years might:

    Not be able to walk

    Not be able to push a toy with wheels

    Graphic 82772 Version 1.0


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    This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. � �2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �

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