nonprogressive central motor impairment syndrome due to prenatal/perinatal events (trauma, lesions, metabolic abnormalities anomalies o...
- nonprogressive central motor impairment syndrome due to prenatal/perinatal events (trauma, lesions, metabolic abnormalities anomalies of brain); a symptom complex, NOT a disease
- association with low birth weight babies
- incidence 1.5-2.5/1000 live births (developing countries)
- extent of mental retardation varies
- life expectancey is dependent on the degree of mobility and mental retardation, not on severity of CP
Types
- spastic i.e. increased tone - diplegia: lower limbs > upper limbs often due to interventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia; hemiplegia: one-sided paralysis; quadraplegia
- extrapyramidal – choreoathetoid (kernicterus), dystonic (fluctuating high/low tone)
- hypotonic
- ataxic
- mixed
Etiology
- often obscure or multiple
- no definite etiology identified in 1/3 of cases
- 10% due to postnatal insult - infections, asphyxia and trauma
Other Signs
- swallowing incoordination – aspiration
- microcephaly (25%)
- seizures
- mental retardation, learning disabilities
- delay in motor milestones
Investigations
- include metabolics, chromosome studies, tissue exam, serology,neuroimaging, evoked potentials, EEG (if seizures), ophthalmology,audiology
Treatment
- maximize potential through multidisciplinary services; important for family to be connected with various support systems
- orthopedic management (e.g. dislocations, contractures, rhizotomy)
