Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders caused by permanent injury to the brain that is not fully developed, resulting in abnormalities in movement and posture. The brain injury must be stable and not progressively worsening.
Currently, the number of children with cerebral palsy is increasing. This may partly be due to improved neonatal care capabilities by doctors, leading to higher survival rates of premature and low birth weight infants, who are at risk of developing cerebral palsy.
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
Brain injury can occur before birth, during birth, or after birth. However, about one-third of children with cerebral palsy have no clear identifiable cause.
1. Before birth
It may be caused by congenital brain abnormalities, infections during pregnancy such as rubella or other viruses, complications, vascular problems, metabolic issues, or maternal exposure to certain toxins, etc.
2. During birth
It may result from difficult labor, umbilical cord around the neck, hemorrhage, birth asphyxia, premature birth, low birth weight, infections, jaundice, hypoglycemia, brain injury, or brain hemorrhage during delivery, etc.
3. After birth
It may be caused by infections such as meningitis, which damages parts of the brain, or brain trauma from head injuries due to accidents, etc.
Symptoms of Children with Cerebral Palsy… Noticeable!
- Delayed development
- Muscle spasticity, especially in the arms and legs, making it difficult to grasp objects, stiff limbs, difficulty walking, walking on tiptoes. Some may have severe spasticity causing pain, bone and joint deformities, and possible joint dislocation.
- Reduced muscle tone, possibly floppy limbs, resulting in inability to maintain posture when sitting, standing, or walking.
- Inefficient sucking and swallowing, inability to chew food, and risk of choking.
- Speech problems
- Other abnormalities such as intellectual disability, below-average learning ability, vision and hearing problems, behavioral and emotional issues such as depression or seizures.
Treatment of Cerebral Palsy
Caring for children with cerebral palsy requires cooperation among the child, family, and healthcare team. Appropriate care from an early age leads to better development than treatment started at an older age. Treatment for each patient depends on the severity of cerebral palsy and the patient’s age.
Care for children with cerebral palsy involves a multidisciplinary team including developmental and behavioral pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, rehabilitation physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and others.
Guidelines for Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy
- Physical therapy to promote normal or near-normal movement and prevent complications such as muscle and joint contractures and bone deformities.
- Occupational therapy to improve fine motor skills, swallowing, daily living skills, and self-care.
- Speech therapy
- Medication to reduce muscle spasticity
- Surgical treatment to reduce muscle tightness, tendon transfer, or bone surgery
- Other treatments such as correcting vision and hearing problems, seizure management, and psychiatric care
Therefore, if parents notice any of the above symptoms in their child, they should promptly bring their child for a thorough evaluation to receive accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.
Child and Adolescent Health Center
Phyathai 2 Hospital, Building B, 2nd Floor
Opening Hours
Open daily from 06:30 – 20:00 (Services at Building B, 2nd Floor)
and 20:00 – 22:00 (Services at Building A, 1st Floor)
Phone Number
02-617-2444 ext. 3219, 3220
