Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of movement disorders that appear in early childhood involving problems with vision, hearing, swallowing, sensation and speaking. It is observed that babies with cerebral palsy do not sit, crawl or walk as early as compared to other children of their age. Seizures, poor coordination, tremors, problems with thinking and reasoning are some common symptoms. It is caused due to damage to those parts of the brain which control balance, posture and movement. Some of the risk factors associated with the incidence of this disease are having a twin sibling, preterm birth, infections during pregnancy, head trauma, etc. Immunization of the mother and prevention of head injuries in children are some prevention strategies. There is no known cure for cerebral palsy, but medications, supportive treatments and surgery can provide a degree of care to many individuals. This book aims to elucidate the symptoms and diagnostic techniques of cerebral palsy. It unravels the recent studies in the evaluation and therapeutic interventions relevant to this medical condition. It is an essential guide for clinicians, doctors and medical students.