Cerebral Palsy
CEREBRAL PALSY
Introduction
Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common congenital disorders of childhood. It is a medical condition caused by a permanent brain injury that occurs before (Prenatal), during (Perinatal), or shortly after birth (Postnatal). Thus the malformation of the brain can exist at birth or caused by factors occurring during the birthing process or after. Cerebral palsy is a non- progressive disease; however, the effects have been known to change over time. This non curable, non contagious and non progressive disease is most noticed because of its affects on physical ability in human development. This is because it is caused by abnormalities in parts of the brain that control muscle movements. The United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Foundation estimates that nearly 800,000 children and adults in the United States are living with one or more of the symptoms of cerebral palsy. According to the Federal Government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year about 10,000 babies born in the United States will develop Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral palsy is more common than generally realised. Currently, it is believed that about one in every 400 children is affected by the condition, i.e. about 1,800 babies are diagnosed with cerebral palsy in Great Britain each year.
In Trinidad and Tobago there are about 4000 children with cerebral palsy which includes documented and undocumented cases, many of whom have been misdiagnosed with other developmental disorders (Cerebral Palsy Society of Trinidad and Tobago, 2008). Cerebral palsy can affect people from all social backgrounds and ethnic groups.
History
Throughout history children have been born with maldeveloped or injured brains. Among the sculptured monuments of Egypt and early stone carvings of Mexico are figures of individuals who appear to be cerebral palsied. The term Cerebral Palsy (CP) began to be widely used, in the 19th century by writers such as William Little, a surgeon who
Introduction
Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common congenital disorders of childhood. It is a medical condition caused by a permanent brain injury that occurs before (Prenatal), during (Perinatal), or shortly after birth (Postnatal). Thus the malformation of the brain can exist at birth or caused by factors occurring during the birthing process or after. Cerebral palsy is a non- progressive disease; however, the effects have been known to change over time. This non curable, non contagious and non progressive disease is most noticed because of its affects on physical ability in human development. This is because it is caused by abnormalities in parts of the brain that control muscle movements. The United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Foundation estimates that nearly 800,000 children and adults in the United States are living with one or more of the symptoms of cerebral palsy. According to the Federal Government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year about 10,000 babies born in the United States will develop Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral palsy is more common than generally realised. Currently, it is believed that about one in every 400 children is affected by the condition, i.e. about 1,800 babies are diagnosed with cerebral palsy in Great Britain each year.
In Trinidad and Tobago there are about 4000 children with cerebral palsy which includes documented and undocumented cases, many of whom have been misdiagnosed with other developmental disorders (Cerebral Palsy Society of Trinidad and Tobago, 2008). Cerebral palsy can affect people from all social backgrounds and ethnic groups.
History
Throughout history children have been born with maldeveloped or injured brains. Among the sculptured monuments of Egypt and early stone carvings of Mexico are figures of individuals who appear to be cerebral palsied. The term Cerebral Palsy (CP) began to be widely used, in the 19th century by writers such as William Little, a surgeon who
References: Mc Donald T E., 1987.Treating Cerebral Palsy for Clinicians by Clinicians. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2007. http://www.originsofcerebralpalsy.com/ Scope Response, 2007. http://213.52.233.138/downloads/factsheets/word/introcp.doc Scrutton D., DAmiano D., Mayston M, 2004 The Alfred I. Dupont Institute, Cerebral Palsy, A guide for Care. http://gait.aidi.udel.edu/res695/homepage/pd_ortho/clinics/c_palsy/cpweb.htm#RTFToC3 The Cerebral Palsy Society of Trinidad and Tobago, 2006.