Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is the term used to describe various movement disorders caused by damage to the brain during pregnancy, birth or in infancy. Sufferers may also have cognitive impairment, delayed mental development and pain that have serious negative consequences for their quality of life and independence. Learn more about the condition, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available.

 
For cerebral palsy that develops after birth or during delivery, parents generally have to wait for several months before a diagnosis can be made. The average age of diagnosis is between three and 18 months, when the parents notice signs of delayed development.

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy is based on a series of clinical tests:

  • one limb favored strongly over the other: for example, a baby always grabbing objects with the same hand can be a sign of cerebral palsy;
  • persistence of primitive reflexes (reflexes that babies have at birth, such as the Moro reflex) is another possible sign;
  • an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or ultrasound (a test to give images of the soft tissue, bones and blood vessels) can be carried out to identify lesions or abnormalities in the brain;
  • intelligence, vision and hearing tests are used to complete the diagnosis and pinpoint other conditions associated with the disorder.

2 to 2.5

cases per 1,000 live births in industrialized countries

Motor, sensory and intellectual impairment

3 to 18 months

the average age of diagnosis

Blepharospasm

Blepharospasm causes involuntary contractions of the muscles of the eyelids. The disorder can also lead to uncontrollable blinking and in some cases sufferers may be unable to open their eyes, which reduces their ability to carry out everyday activities. Learn more about the condition, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available.

Cervical dystonia

Cervical dystonia, also referred to as spasmodic torticollis, is a condition with intermittent or continuous painful spasms of the muscles of the neck – and sometimes the shoulder – that cause an abnormal posture of the head. This neurological movement disorder gets gradually worse and the symptoms can also include jerking movements of the head, neck pain, and a raised shoulder. Learn more about this condition, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available.

Equinus deformity

Equinus or spastic equinovarus is a foot deformity that most commonly occurs secondary to cerebral stroke (CVA) or cerebral palsy, but may also be a congenital deformity. The pathology causes gait abnormality in patients and is a very real handicap when it comes to mobility. Learn more about the condition, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available.

Hemifacial spasm

Hemifacial spasm is an involuntary contraction (spasm) of the muscles on one side of the face. This chronic constricting condition can become almost permanent over time and evolve into a disabling disfigurement and social embarrassment. Learn more about the condition, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available.

Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis, or hyper perspiration, is excessive sweating beyond what is needed to regulate body temperature. The areas generally affected by the condition are the armpits, hands, feet and face, but hyperhidrosis may also spread to the entire body. Learn more about the condition, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available.

Spasticity

A number of pathologies can be responsible for spasticity, including cerebral stroke (CAV), head trauma, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and others. Constantly contracted, the spastic limbs loose flexibility, causing pain and mobility problems for sufferers. Ipsen has a long history of developing treatment for spasticity. Learn the characteristics and causes of the condition, methods of diagnosis and the various treatment options available.
Sources :

1 Rosenbaum P, Paneth N, Leviton A, Goldstein M, Bax M, Damiano D, Dan B, Jacobsson B. The Definition and Classification of Cerebral Palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol 2007; 49 : 1-44, doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2007.00001.x
2 Stanley F, Blair E, Alberman E. Cerebal Palsies: Epidemiology and Causal Pathways. MacKeith Press; 2010.
Last update 13/04/2017