Causes and Risk Factors for the Development of Childhood Cerebral Palsy (MPD).

Children's cerebral palsy (MPD) is a complex group of movement disorders resulting from brain damage or abnormal development. At Paley European Institute, an important and renowned orthopedic medical tourism center in Europe, we specialize in comprehensive care for children with MPD, accepting patients from all over the world and offering an extensive package of services, including visa assistance, online diagnosis, accommodation, patient care and psychological support. In this article, we will introduce you to the main causes, symptoms and risk factors associated with MPD.

Symptoms of infantile cerebral palsy

Symptoms of MPD can vary widely depending on the severity and location of the brain damage. Typical symptoms include:

• Muscle stiffness (spasticity): A characteristic of most cases of MPD, spasticity makes muscles stiff and difficult to move. It can affect one side of the body (hemiplegia), both legs (diplegia) or all four limbs (quadriplegia).
• Unintentional movements (dyskinesia): Dyskinetic forms of MPD can include athetotic movements (slow, twisting movements), dystonic movements (muscle spasms that cause strange postures) or choreoathetosis (rapid, uncontrolled movements).
• Balance and coordination problems (ataxia): Children with ataxia may have difficulty with balance and coordination, which affects their ability to walk and make fine movements.
• Delays in motor development: Children with MPD may have delays in learning to sit up, crawl, walk or speak.
• Difficulty eating and speaking: Problems with muscle coordination can lead to difficulty eating and speaking, and sometimes to breathing problems.

Main causes of childhood cerebral palsy

The causes of MPD are varied and can include brain damage at different stages of a child's life:

• Prenatal Damage:
  • Abnormal brain development: Genetic defects, developmental anomalies, or exposure to toxic substances can interfere with normal fetal brain development.
  • Infections in the mother: infections such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis or syphilis can pass through the placenta and affect fetal brain development.
  • Fetal hypoxia: Chronic hypoxia caused by placental problems or other factors can damage the developing brain.
• Perinatal complications:
  • Hypoxia during labor (asphyxia): Prolonged or complicated labor, especially with instruments, can lead to hypoxia of the newborn's brain.
  • Premature birth: Premature births increase the risk of MPD because the brain of premature babies is more vulnerable to damage.
  • Low birth weight: low birth weight babies have a higher risk of MPD due to insufficient brain development or health complications.
• Postnatal damage:
  • Brain infections: Encephalitis, meningitis and other severe infections can lead to brain damage.
  • Head injuries: Serious head injuries caused by falls, car accidents or violence can lead to MPD.
  • Neonatal jaundice: Untreated severe jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia) can lead to kernicterus, which can damage the brain.

Risk factors for childhood cerebral palsy

There are many factors that can increase the risk of developing MPD, including:

• Multiple pregnancies: twin, triplet and other multiple pregnancies increase the risk of prematurity and low birth weight, which in turn increases the risk of MPD.
• Pregnancy complications: Health problems in the mother, such as diabetes, hypertension, or autoimmune diseases, can affect fetal development.
• Family history: The presence of certain genetic conditions in the family may increase the risk of MPD.
• Exposure to toxic substances: Alcohol consumption, smoking, and drug use by the mother during pregnancy can lead to developmental problems in the fetus.

Offers for families at Paley European Institute

Paley European Institute welcomes patients from all over the world, offering a comprehensive package of services to ensure the best possible care:

• Help with visas: We facilitate the process of obtaining a medical visa for the patient and his or her family, eliminating the stress of paperwork.
• Online diagnosis: Thanks to modern technologies, we offer the possibility of quick diagnosis and consultation with our specialists without leaving home, allowing us to start treatment quickly.
• Accommodation: we arrange comfortable housing for patients and their families for the duration of treatment, providing comfort and peace of mind.
• Patient caregiver: Each patient is assigned a caregiver who helps organize and coordinate the entire treatment process, taking care of all the family's needs.
• Psychological support: We offer psychological support for family and siblings to support them during difficult times and provide emotional support.
• Extensive medical care: our team of specialists provides the highest standard of medical care, believing that "You deserve the best care."

Summary

Childhood cerebral palsy is a complex condition, but by understanding its causes and risk factors, you can take the right steps to ensure your child receives the best possible care. Paley European Institute stands ready to support you every step of the way. Contact us to schedule a consultation or learn more about our services.