Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder of brain activity that arises from improper development or birth injury, characterized by impairments in speech, motor functionality, and mental development.
Causes
The cause of CP is the destruction of brain cells. The risk of the disease exists if:
- large fetal size
- umbilical cord wrapping around the neck
- the mother has a narrow pelvis
- premature detachment of the placenta
- premature or rapid delivery
- induction of labor or acceleration of the delivery process artificially
- congenital anomalies of the brain and spinal cord, disruptions in the child's brain circulation
- infections during pregnancy, presence of certain maternal diseases
- smoking, alcohol consumption by the mother during pregnancy
- different Rh factor between mother and child
- ecology.
In early childhood, CP is caused by injuries and infectious diseases of the child's brain.
Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
In each case of CP, the symptoms are individual, but there is a group of signs characteristic of any form of the disease:
- coordination disorders of muscle activity and their overstrain
- the child walks on tiptoes, dragging a leg
- gait disturbances, inability to maintain balance
- muscles are either tense or too relaxed
- posture disorders, spinal curvature
- congenital physical anomalies.
Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy in Israel
In Israel, there is a serious approach to diagnosing CP in order to subsequently select the correct treatment. The main research method is MRI, which provides the most complete picture of the overall condition. In addition, specialists use methods such as computed tomography and electroencephalography.
Treatment of Cerebral Palsy in Israel
CP is not completely curable, so the meaning of the word “treatment” is reduced to maximum efforts to develop speech, motor, intellectual, and communication skills in the child. The patient is assisted by psychologists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, and many other specialists. Additionally, in Israel, one of the treatment directions is that all types of therapy are taught to the child's parents. Working with the child's subconscious is considered the most effective way to achieve results. A combination of medications that positively affect brain activity is prescribed.
Prevention
A healthy lifestyle for the mother and quality obstetric care during delivery are the only possible measures to prevent CP in the child.