Q: Hello Doctor, my baby has CP and I need your advice on how and when do you think my baby can walk and live a normal life like every other child? Thanks.

A: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder in which there are problems with movement, muscle tone and/or posture that is caused by a damage to baby’s brain before, during or after birth during the first 3 to 5 years.

The signs and symptoms of this show up during infancy or the pre-school age and are dependent on the type of CP.

• Children with spastic CP experience difficulties with moving and stiffness
• Children with ataxic CP experience problems with their perception of depth and balance.
• Children with athetoid CP experience involuntary and uncontrolled movements

Other problems that could be experienced by CP children include blindness, deafness, problems with swallowing and speaking, behavioural problems, tremors and epilepsy.

The precise causes of CP are not really known but pre-disposing factors include:

During pregnancy: damage or lack of proper development of the brain which may be due to infections (chicken pox, German measles, syphilis, exposure to toxins etc.) or genetic problems.

During labour/delivery: Difficult labour and delivery which may lead to reduced oxygen supply to baby’s brain (asphyxia)

Infections in a new born baby: Infections of the coverings of the brain or untreated jaundice

Other conditions associated with CP include prematurity, multiple births, low birth weight, malnutrition, car accidents in which babies were properly retrained (by using car seats and suitable restraints) and shaking the baby in infancy etc.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for CP but, you can absolutely work with your child’s team of medics to ensure that your child leads a normal life. Different types of therapies aimed at the different areas of challenges (movement, speech, learning, social and emotional development) especially if started early, are very helpful. Please ensure that your baby is getting all of these.

To prevent probable CP in children, be sure to take care of yourself during pregnancy, attend ANC classes and take any needed medications and vaccinations, ensure that you use seat restraints (seat belts, car seats with their restraints etc) when you have children in a car.

And never give up! Keep doing everything you can and prayerfully, encourage your baby even when it is frustrating. There is light at the end of the tunnel J Read avidly about any and everything available and don’t be afraid to ask your baby’s doctors question about any aspect of his/her care.

Have a great day and be sure to put a smile on somebody’s face today 😀

 Here’s to a healthier you!