Cerebral Palsy

medications

Pathophysiology

Interventions

Assessment Findings

Patient Education

Genetic Mutations

Genetic disorders

Maternal Infections

Effect developing fetus

Fetal Stroke

disruption of blood supply to brain

Trauma

MVA, Fall, physical abuse

bleeding in the brain

lack of oxygen

Physical Therapy

muscle training, exercises to build strength , flexibility

Occupational Therapy

Help to develop independence in daily activites

Speech/language therapy

improve ability to speak or communicate

improve eating and swallowing

Recreational Therapy

Regular or adaptive. to improve motor skills and emotional well being.

Muscle/nerve injections

treat tightening muscles

Botox

Oral Muscle relaxants

Baclofen, Tizandine, Diazepam

Meds to reduce drooling

Botox into salivary glands

Baby < 6 months

Baby > 6 months

Baby > 10 months

Head, legs, feels stiff, feels floppy, when cradled seems to overextend the back and neck as they push away. Legs are stiff and cross or scissor.

Doesn't roll over. cannot bring hands together, difficulty brinimng hands to mouth. reaches with one hand while other i s fisted.

crawls are lopsided, pushing with hand and leg while dragging opposite hand/leg.

Teach what CP is

general term used to describe a group of disorders that impair muscle control due to damage to the developing brain.

Signs of each type

Spastic CP

most common type in which the muscles are stiff & weak (due to uncontrolled contraction of the muscles). The stiffness may occur in both legs (diplegia), in the leg & arm on the same side (hemiplegia)

Dyskinetic CP

bizarre twisting motions or unusual posturing.

Mixed CP

Combination of all types

Atoxic CP

Problems with balance/coordination

Is CP progressive?

due to damage to the developing brain, it is non-progressive. However, the symptoms due to brain damage often change with time, sometimes getting better & something worse