Pediatric quadriplegia: Causes, symptoms and treatment

Medical articles

Quadriplegia in children causes, symptoms, treatment options and support

Medical articles

Reviewed by: Dr. Obada Hassan, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon

Quadriplegia in children affects their ability to move, dress, eat, and many aspects of their lives, and is due to several causes, the most important of which are direct injuries to the spinal cord and others. Its symptoms usually appear in the inability to walk, and it causes many complications for children, most notably bed sores and others. Diagnosis is usually made through several methods, but the condition must not be neglected and the necessary health care must be provided for it within one of the specialized centers such as Al Mousa Specialist Center. For more information about it, follow the article with us until the end.

What is quadriplegia in children?

It is one of the common medical conditions among children and is evidence of damage to the cervical spinal cord located within a canal found in the vertebrae of the spine, but this does not have to be just that, as it can be the result of injury to the nerves surrounding the brain or the brain itself.

Quadriplegia in children also indicates damage to the upper part of the cervical spinal cord, which causes complete obstruction of movement as well as difficulty breathing, and the child depends on others to perform the various tasks required of him.

But when the lower part of the spinal cord is injured, this causes partial damage to the child, as he is able to perform some tasks independently, as well as walk.

Causes of quadriplegia in children

There are many causes that may lead to quadriplegia in children, the most important of which are the following:

First: causes before birth

There are some reasons that lead to quadriplegia in a child before birth, and they are as follows:

Maternal high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Taking inappropriate medications.
Exposure to German measles or some viral diseases.
Lack of continuous follow-up during pregnancy.

Second: Causes after childbirth

Some reasons after the birth of a child lead to quadriplegia, the most important of which are the following:

ارتفاع درجة الحرارة.
Having breathing problems.
Child cyanosis.
The first cry was delayed.
Cramps occur.

Third: Various reasons

There are a number of diverse causes that lead to quadriplegia in children, as follows:

Vascular diseases as well as infections cause children to suffer from quadriplegia, which has serious consequences later.
Direct injuries to the cervical spinal cord also lead to this.
Severe narrowing of the spinal canal also leads to quadriplegia in children.
Cancerous tumors cause the child to become quadriplegic.
The child has multiple sclerosis.
The presence of herniated discs between the vertebrae of the spine.

Book your consultation now at Orthopedic center At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital

Types of quadriplegia in children

There are many types of quadriplegia in children, including all of the following:

1. Complete paralysis

It is considered one of the most common types among children, as it is usually accompanied by mental disability, paralysis and complete inability to move in all four limbs.

It is divided into tense quadriplegia, accompanied by clear tension in the child's muscles.

This is in addition to flaccid quadriplegia, which is accompanied by muscle relaxation.

Lower hemiplegia

It is also widespread among a number of children and is only in the lower part of the body. The upper part of the body is not affected by it and is not accompanied by a mental disability. The child is able to comprehend, speak, express, etc.

Lateral hemiplegia

It affects one side of the body and it does not have to be a specific part, as it can be equally left or right, and this type is usually accompanied by mental disability.

Paralysis with involuntary movements

This type is accompanied by some involuntary movements, but it does not affect the child’s mind. He is mentally normal, and has high awareness, concentration, and awareness, but he has a motor disability.

If you are looking for the best rehabilitation doctors, book your appointment now at Children's rehabilitation center At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital

Symptoms of quadriplegia in children

There are many symptoms that indicate that a child has quadriplegia, the most important of which are the following:

The child suffers from muscle spasms that affect the body in general.
Noticing the presence of gait disturbances indicates the presence of a clear motor disability.
Nutrition-related disorders.
The child suffers from some sleep disturbances.
There is a restriction in moving some limbs or movement in general.
Improper body position while lying or sitting.
Severe and chronic pain.
The presence of disorders in the speech and speech process.
Suffering from a disturbance in the balance process.
The presence of a growth disorder leading to musculoskeletal deformities.
High degree هشاشة العظام.
Seizures and bed sores.

How to diagnose quadriplegia in children

The process of diagnosing quadriplegia in children is carried out through a clear number of steps, which are as follows:

It begins with the mother noticing that the child is not responding to some things and is unable to move one or more parts of the body.
After that, you go to the treating physician, who performs a quantitative assessment of the sensation.
This is in addition to performing a functional assessment using a set of specialized tools such as the Independent Masseur scale, in addition to the SCIM – Spinal Cord scale and others.
The doctor orders some tests, such as an MRI.
التصوير المقطعي المحوسب.
Electromyography.

Methods of treating quadriplegia in children

There are many methods used to treat quadriplegia, the most important of which are the following:

1. Four-way management

There are many types of quadriplegic management that are used to treat quadriplegia in children, and they are as follows:

Use cough and exhalation devices.
Using medications to treat bacterial infections, and medications to expand the bronchial tubes.
Manual force activation tools.
Use artificial respiration.
Change body positions constantly to avoid bed sores.

Medical care and physical therapy

It includes several methods, which are as follows:

Use equipment that contributes to achieving the necessary maximum functional performance.
Using treatments that help treat fertility and sexual problems.
Treatment of sphincters.
Use some exercises that improve the functional performance of muscles and limbs.

Modern treatments

A number of small, modern devices are used that are implanted in the body. These devices are injected with a group of anti-seizure substances, along with resorting to some psychological treatments that help the patient adapt to various aspects of life.

Therapeutic development

Many new and advanced treatments have appeared that have contributed to improving patients' conditions, especially those who were dying within 3 years. However, with medical development, these cases have become adaptive to the injury and can live for decades.

Quadriplegia in children is considered one of the medical conditions that most affects their lives and hinders many of their daily activities. Although there is no effective treatment for this disease yet, with medical development, many therapeutic methods have emerged that improve the condition, including physical therapy and others. However, the process of choosing the best medical center specialized in treating such cases is the first step towards improving the condition, so it is preferable to resort to Al-Mousa Specialist Center in order to receive the necessary health care through an elite group of specialists.