cerebral palsy patient medical report

All people with cerebral palsy have problems with movement and posture, and some also have some level of intellectual disability, seizures, and abnormal physical sensations or perceptions, as well as other medical disorders. People with CP also may have impaired vision or hearing, and language, and speech problems.

Full Answer

How is cerebral palsy diagnosed?

The diagnosis is mainly by careful examination and assessment of development. However, additional tests such as blood tests or a brain scan may be done if the cause of cerebral palsy is not clear. Other tests may also be needed if it is thought that there may be a different diagnosis other than cerebral palsy.

What are the symptoms of cerebral palsy?

The symptoms of cerebral palsy depend on the exact part of the brain that is affected. The stiffness of the muscles in spastic cerebral palsy can gradually lead to permanent fixed contractures of joints in arms and legs. Some joints may eventually become fixed in a flexed position as a child becomes older.

What is included in the evaluation of children with cerebral palsy?

The most important aspect in the initial clinical evaluation of a child with CP is the medical and surgical history of the child. The history includes information regarding the birth, developmental milestones, other associated medical problems, surgical history, ongoing medications, and physiotherapy treatment.

What is the pathophysiology of cerebral palsy (CP)?

Children with CP tend to have delayed and reduced posterior equilibrium responses. A comprehensive analysis of equilibrium in all planes should be done before planning for any modality of treatment. Upper-limb Examination

What is CP medical diagnosis?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture. CP is the most common motor disability in childhood. Cerebral means having to do with the brain. Palsy means weakness or problems with using the muscles.

What medical problems are associated with cerebral palsy?

All people with cerebral palsy have problems with movement and posture, and some also have some level of intellectual disability, seizures, and abnormal physical sensations or perceptions, as well as other medical disorders. People with CP also may have impaired vision or hearing, and language, and speech problems.

How would you describe cerebral palsy on an exam?

Physical indicators of cerebral palsy include joint contractures secondary to spastic muscles, hypotonic to spastic tone, growth delay, and persistent primitive reflexes. The initial presentation of cerebral palsy includes early hypotonia, followed by spasticity.

What are clinical features of cerebral palsy?

SymptomsStiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity), the most common movement disorder.Variations in muscle tone, such as being either too stiff or too floppy.Stiff muscles with normal reflexes (rigidity)Lack of balance and muscle coordination (ataxia)Tremors or jerky involuntary movements.More items...•

What is the main cause of cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is usually caused by a problem that affects the development of a baby's brain while it's growing in the womb. These include: damage to part of the brain called white matter, possibly as a result of a reduced blood or oxygen supply – this is known as periventricular leukomalacia (PVL)

Is cerebral palsy painful?

Some children may experience little to no pain, whereas others may require medical treatment to manage painful symptoms. According to a 2020 study from BMC Neurology involving 3,545 children and adolescents with cerebral palsy, 42.5% of patients reported experiencing some type of pain.

What are 3 early signs of cerebral palsy?

In general, early signs of cerebral palsy include1,2:Developmental delays. The child is slow to reach milestones such as rolling over, sitting, crawling, and walking. ... Abnormal muscle tone. Body parts are floppy or too stiff.Abnormal posture.

How do you measure evaluate the spasticity in cerebral palsy patients?

Goniometric measures are the most widely used technique to assess either passive or velocity dependent lower limb joint ROM in a child with Cerebral Palsy. Factors such as the number of assessors, patient compliance and the method used for measuring can affect the reliability and repeatability of measures.

What are the 3 main types of cerebral palsy?

Types of cerebral palsyQuadriplegia (a form of bilateral cerebral palsy) Both arms and legs are affected. ... Diplegia (a form of bilateral cerebral palsy) Both legs are affected. ... Hemiplegia (a form of unilateral cerebral palsy) One side of the body (one arm and one leg) is affected.

Does cerebral palsy affect speech?

Some children with cerebral palsy have difficulty controlling the muscles in their face, throat, neck and head. This can lead to troubles with speech, chewing and swallowing. It can also cause drooling and affect overall ability to interact and learn.

What is Palsy called today?

Bell's palsy is also known as acute peripheral facial palsy of unknown cause. It can occur at any age. The exact cause is unknown. Experts think it's caused by swelling and inflammation of the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of the face.

Which of the following is sometimes associated with cerebral palsy?

Common cognitive and behavioral issues associated with cerebral palsy include: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Challenges with behavior. Emotional problems (inability to connect with others emotionally)

What are the long term effects of cerebral palsy?

Depending on the severity of the condition, cerebral palsy can lead to seizure disorders, mental retardation and obesity if the child is unable to move freely. If treatment is received early and the child's condition is managed well, the child's abilities can be improved.

How does cerebral palsy affect daily life?

Cerebral palsy affects a person's posture, balance, and ability to move. It can also affect someone's abilities to communicate, eat, and sleep. The parts of the body affected by cerebral palsy, the level of severity and combination of symptoms can differ for each person.

Is cerebral palsy an autoimmune disease?

Just because an individual has cerebral palsy does not mean they will have a weak immune system. However, complications of CP such as reduced mobility, feeding problems, and high levels of stress may affect the body's ability to function optimally.

What to do if your child has cerebral palsy?

If your family doctor or pediatrician suspects your child has cerebral palsy, he or she will evaluate your child's signs and symptoms, monitor growth and development, review your child's medical history, and conduct a physical exam. Your doctor might refer you to a specialist trained in treating children with brain and nervous system conditions ...

What kind of doctor is needed for cerebral palsy?

Besides a pediatrician or physiatrist and possibly a pediatric neurologist to oversee your child's medical care, the team might include a variety of therapists and mental health specialists.

What are the best ways to help a child with cerebral palsy?

Therapies. A variety of therapies play an important role in treating cerebral palsy: Physical therapy. Muscle training and exercises can help your child's strength, flexibility, balance, motor development and mobility.

What is cranial ultrasound?

A cranial ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the brain. An ultrasound doesn't produce a detailed image, but it may be used because it's quick and inexpensive, and it can provide a valuable preliminary assessment of the brain.

What is the best way to find out if a child has brain damage?

Brain scans. Brain-imaging technologies can reveal areas of damage or abnormal development in the brain. These tests might include the following: MRI. An MRI scan uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce detailed 3D or cross-sectional images of your child's brain.

Can seizures occur in children with epilepsy?

Seizures can develop in a child with epilepsy. In an EEG test, a series of electrodes are attached to your child's scalp. The EEG records the electrical activity of your child's brain. It's common for there to be changes in normal brain wave patterns in epilepsy.

Can cerebral palsy be treated with oxygen?

Some children and adolescents with cerebral palsy use some form of complementary or alternative medicine. These therapies aren't accepted clinical practice. For example, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is widely promoted for cerebral palsy treatment despite limited evidence of benefit.

How to classify cerebral palsy?

There are lots of different ways of classifying cerebral palsy - for example, by cause or distribution of movement disorder. One of the most common ways is by type of movement disorder - spastic, athetoid, ataxic and mixed.

What are the problems that cerebral palsy causes?

Some people with cerebral palsy also have other problems such as learning difficulties and epilepsy. Every person with cerebral palsy is an individual with specific symptoms, disabilities and needs. Treatment is based on a thorough and ongoing assessment of all symptoms and difficulties caused by cerebral palsy.

How many people with cerebral palsy have epilepsy?

Sometimes a child with difficulty in speaking may be thought of as having low intelligence, whereas in fact they have normal or high intelligence. About 1 in 3 people with cerebral palsy will also have epilepsy.

How early can you tell if a baby has cerebral palsy?

However, most children are diagnosed between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. Possible early signs that a baby may have cerebral palsy include: Unusual fidgety movements.

Why do babies have cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a problem with muscle function. It is caused by brain injury or abnormal development of the brain that occurs while a child's brain is still developing. This may be before the baby is born, during the birth or soon after birth.

When does cerebral palsy occur?

For more than half of all people with cerebral palsy, the cause occurs between 24 weeks of pregnancy and the birth. This is the period when there is a great deal of brain development. The brain is therefore particularly sensitive to any damage during this period. For many people with cerebral palsy, the cause of the damage to the brain is not known.

Can cerebral palsy cause difficulty in talking?

Depending on the type of cerebral palsy and the area of brain affected, a child with cerebral palsy may have difficulty with moving, talking, eating or playing in the same ways as other children. The symptoms of cerebral palsy depend on the exact part of the brain that is affected.

What Is It?

Cerebral palsy is the name given to a large group of disorders that affect muscles and movement. These disorders begin early in life and result from brain injuries or problems with brain development before birth. Although the specific brain injury or problem causing cerebral palsy does not worsen, the movement problems can vary over time.

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Cerebral Palsy Report

Melissa Wingerd is a five-year-old Caucasian female seen for evaluation in my office in Oviedo, Florida accompanied by her father Tony and her mother Nora. Melissa was referred for a rehabilitation evaluation by her attorney, Gregory Mose.

Demographic Information

Client Name: Melissa Wingerd; Social Security#: 378-42-9845; Address: 1306 Winding Waters Circle, Coral Springs, FL 33071; County: Broward; Closest Metro Area: Ft.

Chief Complaint (s)

Disabling Problems: (By client/family history and report. No physical examination occurred).

Medical Summary

Melissa Wingerd is a 5-year-old Caucasian female who was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, hydrocephalus and a cleft palate. She was one of quadruplets conceived through invitro fertilization. She has a VP shunt in place and is developmentally delayed.

Sleep Pattern

Arises: 7:15 a.m. Retires: 9:00 p.m. Average Hours Sleep/24 Hours: 10-12 hours Sleep Difficulties: No problems sleeping. She has to have a nap.

Conclusions

Careful consideration has been given to all of the medical, psychosocial, and rehabilitation/mental health counseling data contained within this file and my report.

What are the most common mental health conditions associated with cerebral palsy?

[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] The most common mental health co-conditions associated with cerebral palsy are anxiety and depression. [ 4][ 5] In a recent study, 46% of children with cerebral palsy self-reported anxiety. [ 5] .

Is cerebral palsy underrepresented in research?

Cerebral palsy clinicians and researchers agree that mental health concerns are an under-represented area of study. This absence of research negatively influences the access to quality mental healthcare for people with cerebral palsy.

Diagnosis

Treatment

• Children and adults with cerebral palsy may require lifelong care with a medical care team. Besides a pediatrician or physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist (physiatrist) and possibly a pediatric neurologist to oversee your child's medical care, the team might include a variety of therapists and mental health specialists. These experts giv...

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