Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition that affects muscle coordination and mental abilities. Cerebral palsy is usually caused by damage to the brain during pregnancy, birth or early childhood, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NIND). Cerebral palsy can be prevented in some cases by lowering of the risk factors during pregnancy.

Features

Symptoms of CP usually start showing up during the first few years of life. Each person will have different symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Approximately 800,000 children and adults have CP in the United States, according to the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

Types

The four basic classifications of cerebral palsy are spastic, athetoid, ataxic and mixed. All types of CP include different types of muscle coordination and balance problems. The affected person may also be afflicted with mental retardation, drooling and spastic muscles.

Prevention

Cerebral palsy is more common in babies with a birth weight of less than 5½ pounds and may be caused by brain damage. Take good care of yourself and your baby during pregnancy by eating healthy and getting both exercise and rest.

Pregnancy

A pregnant woman who contracts rubella (also known as German measles) is at greater risk of her baby being born with CP. Get vaccinated against this disease before you get pregnant. Rh blood incompatibility between a woman and her fetus can cause CP. There are tests and shots that can control this incompatibility early in pregnancy.

During Birth

During birth you can have fetal heart rate monitors placed on the baby to make sure he or she is not in distress and is getting enough oxygen. Your doctor can perform an emergency cesarean section to reduce the chance of brain damage and CP.

Other Risk Factors

In rare cases CP is acquired after birth because of head injury. Make sure you use an infant car seat and use commonsense safety practices. Children should wear helmets when riding bicycles and other wheeled toys. Other risk factors for CP are exposure to toxic substances such as mercury while in utero, thyroid disorders, seizure disorders, infections during pregnancy, and multiple births.

Source:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

United Cerebral Palsy

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