Cerebral Palsy

Subject: Child Health Nursing

Overview

The nonprogressive condition known as cerebral palsy (CP) is caused by problems with the brain's motor center and neural connections. Due to harm done to the developing brain either before or after birth, it is an incurable but not deadly illness. Based on the motor deficit and distribution of the disabilities, cerebral palsy may be divided into four categories: Spastic cerebral palsy (pyramidal CP), Extrapyramidal cerebral palsy (dyskinetic CP), Atonic cerebral palsy (cerebellar CP), and Mixed type CP. Asymmetric movement, irritability, difficulty feeding, poor sucking, poor head control, and other symptoms are some of the clinical signs of cerebral palsy.Planning for management should be done collaboratively. Pediatrician, pediatric surgeons, pediatric nurse specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, pediatric social workers, child psychologists, teachers, special education teachers, family members, and parents all need to work together as a team. Promoting physical therapy-recommended exercise, using splints or braces to help with muscle control, motivating patients to practice self-care, and providing specially crafted self-care items are all ways to increase mobility and reduce deformity.

Cerebral Palsy

The nonprogressive condition known as cerebral palsy (CP) is caused by problems with the brain's motor center and neural connections. Due to harm done to the developing brain either before or after birth, it is an incurable but not deadly illness.

Classification of Cerebral Palsy

Based on Motor Deficit and Distribution of Handicaps:

Cerebral palsy can be classified based on motor deficit and distribution of handicaps.

  • Spastic Cerebral Palsy ( Pyramidal CP).
  • Extrapyramidal Cerebral Palsy ( Dyskinetic CP).
  • Atonic Cerebral Palsy ( Cerebellar CP).
  • Mixed Type CP.

Classification According to Severity:

  • Mild Cerebral Palsy (20%): patient are ambulatory, fine movements are impaired only.
  • Moderate Cerebral Palsy (50%): these children achieve ambulation by self-help. There is impaired gross motor, fine motor and speech development.
  • Severe Cerebral Palsy(30%): the children present with multiple defects and unable to perform usual activities of daily living.

Clinical Manifestation

  • Asymmetric movement,
  • Listlessness,
  • Irritability,
  • Difficult in feeding,
  • Ppoor sucking,
  • Feeble cry,
  • Poor head control,
  • Slow weight gain.

Diagnostic Evaluation

  • History of the prenatal and perinatal period including Apgar score, resuscitation, birth injury etc,
  • History of a neonatal period with physical, neurological and development assessment,
  • Gross motor and fine motor development,
  • CT scan,
  • MRI,
  • EEG,
  • Psychometry test,
  • Examination blood and urine.

Management

  • Planning for management should be done collaboratively. Pediatrician, pediatric surgeons, pediatric nurse specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, pediatric social workers, child psychologists, teachers, special education teachers, family members, and parents all need to work together as a team.
  • Drug therapy, physical therapy, surgical deformity repair, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation are all included in the management process.

Nursing Management

  • Promoting physical therapy-recommended exercise, using splints or braces to help with muscular control, motivating patients to practice self-care, and providing specifically crafted self-care items are all ways to increase mobility and reduce deformity.
  • Organizing daily care with a unique strategy for feeding, sleeping, using the restroom, physical treatment, a child's special interest, safety precautions, and emotional requirements in accordance with the child's degree of competence.
  • By setting up special training or special education, you may give them a pleasant environment and educational chance.
  • Promoting the expression of emotions and supporting the child's ongoing care.
  • Preventing physical harm to the child and fostering security through positive parent-child relationships and family support.
  • Teaching the parents and other family members about continuing treatment at home and doing regular follow-ups.
Things to remember
  • The nonprogressive condition known as cerebral palsy (CP) is caused by problems with the brain's motor center and neural connections.
  • Due to harm done to the developing brain either before or after birth, it is an incurable but not deadly illness.
  • Based on the motor deficit and distribution of the disabilities, cerebral palsy can be divided into four categories: Spastic cerebral palsy (pyramidal CP), Extrapyramidal cerebral palsy (dyskinetic CP), Atonic cerebral palsy (cerebellar CP), and Mixed type CP.
  • Asymmetric movement, irritability, difficulty feeding, poor sucking, poor head control, and other symptoms are some of the clinical signs of cerebral palsy.
  • Planning for management should be done collaboratively. Pediatrician, pediatric surgeons, pediatric nurse specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, pediatric social workers, child psychologists, teachers, special education teachers, family members, and parents all need to work together as a team.
  • Promoting physical therapy-recommended exercise, using splints or braces to help with muscular control, motivating patients to practice self-care, and providing specifically crafted self-care items are all ways to increase mobility and reduce deformity.
Questions and Answers

Cerebral palsy (CP), a non-progressive condition, is brought on by issues with the motor center and neural connections in the brain. It is an incurable but not fatal illness because the developing brain has been harmed either before or after birth.

Based on Motor Deficit and Distribution of Handicaps

Based on the distribution of disabilities and motor deficits, cerebral palsy can be categorized as follows:

  • Cerebral palsy with spasms (pyramidal CP)
  • CP with extrapyramidal symptoms
  • Cerebral palsy with atonia
  • CP of mixed type.

Classification According to Severity

  • 20% of patients with mild cerebral palsy are ambulatory; only their fine motor skills are affected.
  • Children with moderate cerebral palsy (50%) are able to walk with assistance. Gross motor, fine motor, and speech development are all compromised.
  • Children with severe cerebral palsy (30%) present with multiple defects and are unable to carry out daily tasks.
  • Asymmetric movement,
  • Listlessness,
  • Irritability,
  • Difficult in feeding,
  • Poor sucking,
  • Feeble cry,
  • Poor head control,
  • Slow weight gain.

 

Nursing Management

  • Promoting physical therapy-recommended exercise, using splints or braces to help with muscular control, motivating patients to practice self-care, and providing specifically crafted self-care items are all ways to increase mobility and reduce deformity.
  • Organizing daily care with a unique strategy for feeding, sleeping, using the restroom, physical treatment, a child's special interest, safety precautions, and emotional requirements in accordance with the child's degree of competence.
  • By setting up special training or special education, you may give them a pleasant environment and educational chance.
  • Promoting the expression of emotions and supporting the child's ongoing care.
  • Preventing physical harm to the child and fostering security through positive parent-child relationships and family support.
  • Teaching the parents and other family members about continuing treatment at home and doing regular follow-ups.

© 2021 Saralmind. All Rights Reserved.