Cerebral palsy in children does not only affect their motor abilities, but its impact extends to include many aspects of the child’s life, such as his communication with others and learning skills. Therefore, cerebral palsy in children is a major challenge for the child and the family. Follow this article with us. When cerebral palsy in children poses a major challenge for families, we will review different aspects of cerebral palsy in children, from its causes and symptoms to methods of diagnosis and treatment at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.

What is cerebral palsy in children?

It is a group of disorders that affect the child’s nervous system and affect movement, balance and posture, as a result of damage to the developing brain before birth, which affects the child’s muscles and his ability to control them.

Fortunately, the damage to the child's brain is constant, meaning that cerebral palsy does not get worse as the child ages. In some cases, cerebral palsy is simple, its symptoms are difficult to notice in the child and differentiate it from a normal child, and it may be moderate or severe. 

Types of cerebral palsy in children

Based on the movement disorders that the child suffers from, cerebral palsy in children is classified into four main types, as follows:

1. Spastic cerebral palsy: It is the common type of cerebral palsy in children, accounting for about 70-80% of cases. It is characterized by stiffness and increased tension in the child’s muscles, which makes the child suffer from difficulties in walking and maintaining balance. It can also affect one part of the body (Hemiplegia), or on both sides of the body (tetraplegia), or on the lower extremities only (diplegia). 
2. Ataxic cerebral palsy: This type affects the child’s balance and motor coordination, as the child suffers from difficulty maintaining balance, unbalanced walking, and uncoordinated movements, and the child may have difficulty performing tasks that require accuracy, such as writing or using buttons.
3. Athetoid cerebral palsy: Symptoms of this type appear in the child in the form of involuntary, slow, and twisted movements. The affected child has difficulty controlling movement, may suffer from fluctuations in muscle tone, and may have difficulty speaking and swallowing.
4. Mixed cerebral palsy: This type combines the symptoms of more than one type of cerebral palsy, and often combines the symptoms of spastic and athetoid cerebral palsy.

Causes of cerebral palsy in children

Cerebral palsy occurs as a result of damage to the developing brain. It often occurs before birth without a specific cause, but there are several factors that can increase the risk of cerebral palsy, including:

• The mother suffers from some problems during pregnancy that lead to damage to the fetus’s brain, such as the mother being infected with some types of infections, such as German measles, toxoplasmosis, or toxoplasmosis, or lack of oxygen during pregnancy, or problems with the placenta, or poisoning.
• Problems during birth that led to damage to the baby’s brain, such as: lack of oxygen, premature birth of the baby, or difficult birth. 
• Problems after birth for the child that led to damage to the child’s brain, such as some types of infections, such as meningitis, or brain injuries, bleeding in the child’s brain, and severe jaundice. 
• Some other factors include abnormalities in the fetus’s brain during its development, and genetic problems.

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What are the symptoms of cerebral palsy in children?

Children usually suffer from cerebral palsy from birth, and symptoms usually begin to appear on the child at the age of two to three years. Symptoms of cerebral palsy in children vary greatly from one child to another, as they depend on the severity and location of the brain damage. In general, the most prominent symptoms that may appear include the following:

• Delayed motor development, where the child is delayed in movement, such as sitting, crawling, and walking.
• Muscle stiffness and weakness, where the child's muscles are tight, difficult to move, and weak.
• Difficulty in movement and balance. The child cannot move normally and finds it difficult to move, coordinate muscles, and maintain his balance.
• Recurring respiratory infections.
• Involuntary movements, where the child makes involuntary movements, such as trembling or twisting.
• Problems with tooth growth and gum infections.
• Problems with walking, as the child may walk on his tiptoes or limp.
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• Speech problems: the child is late in learning to speak, and his speech is unclear or difficult to understand.
• Difficulty swallowing, as the child has difficulty swallowing, which leads to feeding problems.
• Irregular breathing.
• Epileptic seizures. Some children with cerebral palsy have epileptic seizures.
• Vision or hearing problems.
• Learning difficulties.
• Behavioral problems, such as hyperactivity or difficulty concentrating.

Methods of diagnosis of cerebral palsy in children

There is no single test that can definitively diagnose cerebral palsy in children, but the diagnosis of cerebral palsy in children at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital depends on a set of tests and evaluations, which include: 

• Medical history: The doctor asks about the child’s detailed medical history, including the history of pregnancy and childbirth, and the history of growth and development.
• Clinical examination: The pediatrician conducts a comprehensive physical examination to evaluate the child's movement, motor coordination, muscle tone, and reflexes, and then notes any delays in motor development, such as delayed sitting, crawling, or walking. 
• Magnetic resonance imaging, to provide detailed images of the brain and detect any abnormalities or damage to the brain.
• Computed tomography (CT), is used to evaluate brain structure, but is less sensitive than MRI.
• Cranial ultrasound, used in infants to evaluate the brain, but is less accurate in older children.
• Electroencephalography, to record the electrical activity of the brain, helps diagnose epilepsy that may accompany cerebral palsy. 
• Blood tests, can be used to rule out other conditions that may cause symptoms similar to cerebral palsy.
• Growth and development examinations and evaluations, to evaluate the child’s skills in different areas, such as movement, speech, language, and social skills.
• Movement assessments, which are specialized assessments to evaluate a child's movement and determine the type of cerebral palsy.
• Eye and hearing tests, to detect any vision or hearing problems that may accompany cerebral palsy.

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How to treat cerebral palsy in children

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for cerebral palsy, but it depends on a group of treatments that help improve the life of the sick child. The treatment aims to improve movement, communication, and the ability to carry out daily activities. The treatment methods available at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital include the following:

• Physical therapy, in order to improve movement, balance, and motor coordination, includes exercises to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and develop motor skills, and helps the child learn to use assistive devices, such as walkers and wheelchairs.
• Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy for cerebral palsy focuses on improving a child's ability to perform daily activities, such as dressing, eating, and bathing, developing self-reliance skills, and learning to use assistive devices to make daily tasks easier.
• Speech and language therapy, to help the child improve the ability to speak and communicate, which includes exercises to improve speech and language, and teaching the child to use alternative and complementary communication devices.
• Drug treatment, to control some symptoms, includes muscle relaxants and anti-epileptic drugs.
• Surgery: In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to correct bone or muscle deformities, and it also helps improve mobility and relieve pain. 

Al Mousa Specialist Hospital provides specialized services in treating cerebral palsy in children in Children's rehabilitation centerThis is done through an integrated medical team that includes pediatric neurologists, physical and rehabilitation therapists, speech and language specialists, and occupational therapists.

The most important tips for living with cerebral palsy in children

Living with a child with cerebral palsy requires integrated efforts from the family and the health care team and cooperation between them. Here are some of these guidelines that can help you in living with a child with cerebral palsy:

• You must accept the situation and the child's condition and deal with it realistically, avoiding feelings of guilt or frustration.
• Try to provide a supportive, comfortable, and loving home environment, and encourage the child to express his feelings.
• Seek psychological support from a psychologist to help the child and family cope with the challenges.
• Encourage the child's independence and support the development of his skills and self-reliance as much as possible.
• Cooperation with a specialized medical team that includes neurologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists, with periodic follow-up with doctors to monitor the child’s condition and adjust treatment as needed.
• Commitment to regular physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions, and using assistive devices to facilitate movement and mobility for the child, such as walkers and wheelchairs. 
• Providing educational opportunities appropriate to the child’s abilities, whether in private schools or through home education programs.
• Planning for the child’s vocational qualification at an early age, to help the child acquire skills that will help him in the future.
• Encouraging the child to participate in recreational activities appropriate to his abilities, to enhance social interaction and fun.
• Join support groups for families facing the same challenges, to exchange experiences and support.
• Be patient and persistent in dealing with the challenges the child faces, and be flexible and adapt to changes that may occur in the child’s condition.
• Celebrating the child’s small and large achievements, to enhance his self-confidence.

What are the complications of cerebral palsy in children?

 Neglecting treatment for cerebral palsy in children can lead to a variety of complications, including:

• Weakness of the child's muscles and muscle spasms and stiffness.
• Tremor.
• Difficulty walking or moving.
• Problems with balance and coordination.
• Dysarthria. 
• Malnutrition due to difficulty swallowing. 
• Drooling. 
• Epileptic seizures.
• Cognitive impairment.
• Problems with growth, vision and hearing.
• Spinal deformities.
• Difficulties in breathing and problems with the bladder and intestines.
• Arthritis and osteoporosis

Frequently asked questions

Will the child recover from cerebral palsy?

No, unfortunately there is no cure for cerebral palsy, as it is a permanent condition resulting from brain damage, but rehabilitative treatment and appropriate support can significantly improve the quality of life of the affected child and his ability to move, communicate and carry out daily activities.

How many years do children with cerebral palsy live?

It is not possible to determine the average age for children with cerebral palsy, as it depends on several factors, including:

• Severity of injury.
• Associated health problems.
• Early intervention and continuous treatment.
• The quality of medical care and rehabilitation provided to the child.
• Psychological and social support for the child and his family.

When does a child with cerebral palsy walk?

It is not possible to determine the exact time when a child with cerebral palsy will start walking, as this varies greatly from one child to another, and it depends on several factors, including:

• The severity of the child's injury. 
• Type of cerebral palsy. 
• Medical care, rehabilitation, and physical and occupational therapy provided to the child. 

In general, children with cerebral palsy begin walking at an older age than normal children, and they also need assistive devices to walk or may not walk at all.

In conclusion, early intervention is vital in the response of cerebral palsy in children to treatment, and this requires cooperation between the medical team and parents.

The hospital relies on the latest technologies to diagnose cerebral palsy in its early stages, and provides treatment such as robotics and virtual reality therapy.

You can visit the website of Al Mousa Specialist Hospital to obtain more information about their services and treatment of cerebral palsy, or contact the hospital directly on the numbers listed on the website to inquire about available treatment methods and appointments.

Sources and references

Cerebral Palsy Treatment Centers and Support Organizations – childbirthinjuries

Cerebral palsy treatment facilities – cerebralpalsyguide