It is a non progressive neuromuscular disorder causing mild to severe disabilities throughout life.This condition is manifested as a group of persisting qualitative motor disorders which appear in young children due to damage to the brain during delivery or due to some pathological conditions in the intrauterine life.The neuroligical problems are multiple but non progressive in nature.Approximately 2 per 100 live birth is having this problem.This disease is having no hereditary tendency.

Causes of cerebral palsy:
1) Injury to the brain during delivery.
2) As a complication of forceps delivery.
3) Lack of oxygen supply to the baby during delivery.
4) Infections during delivery.

Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy:
The signs and symptoms may not be similar in all babies affected.Depending upon the damage to the brain there may be mild to severe lesions. Moderate cases:-50% cases are having moderate disability.The affected children require self help for assisting their impaired ambulation capacity. Severe cases:-About 30% of the affected children are totally incapacited and bedridden and they allways need care from others.

Abnormal findings in cerebral palsy:-
1,Abnormal neonatal reflexes.
2,Stiffness of all muscles with awkward motion.
3,Extention of extremities on vertical suspension of the infant.
4,Scissoring of the lower limbs due to spasm of the adductor muscles of the thigh.
5,In severe cases the back bend backwards like and arch.
6,May have total or partial paralysis.
7,Arrest of neurological and behavioral developement.
8,Swallowing may be difficult in some cases.
9,Drooling of saliva.
10,Mild to severe mental retardations.
11,Abnormal movements are seen in some cases.
12,Tremors with typical movements.
13,If cerebellum is affected there will be loss of muscle tone with difficulty in walking.
14,Complete or partial loss of hearing.
15,Speech may be affected.
16,Squint and other visual problems may be associated.
17,Convulsions may be seen in some children.
Cerebral palsy is diagnosed by detailed clinical examination and by eliminating other similar diseases like brain tumour, progressive atrophy ect.All investigations like CT scan,MRI and routine investigations are needed to ruleout other diseases.

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