Cerebral Palsy: A Practical Guide

Cerebral palsy (CP) is an early childhood disorder. The major cause of the disease is abnormal development or damage to the parts of the developing brain responsible for controlling movement, balance, and posture. Children suffering from this disease face problem with hearing, speaking, sensation, and vision. A child with cerebral palsy has impaired muscle tone, reflexes, stiff muscles, weak muscles, tremors, motor development, and coordination. The neurological damage is permanent, whereas the orthopedic symptoms are secondary and gradual. Uneven development between muscle-tendon units and bone leads to bone and joint abnormalities in cerebral palsy. CP can be prevented partly through maternal immunization and minimization of head traumas in children through increased safety. Although there is no known cure for CP, many people may benefit from supportive therapy, medicine, and surgery. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy can also prove beneficial in managing the condition. This book unravels the recent studies on cerebral palsy. It will provide comprehensive knowledge to the readers. This book explores all the important aspects and challenges related to treatment and management of cerebral palsy.