Question
A 16-month-old child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, showing brain waves with slow wave spikes and slightly elevated beta amino acid levels. The doctor’s diagnosis is brain atrophy. The child has already tried acupuncture, rehabilitation exercises, brain ultrasound, and bioelectric therapy, but the results have been unsatisfactory. What further examinations are needed? What is this disease?
Answer
Cerebral palsy typically develops before or during infancy and can be caused by factors such as birth injuries, neonatal jaundice, brain hypoxia, or preterm birth. The main symptoms include increased muscle tone, difficulty with abduction, muscle rigidity, spasms, maintaining a flexed posture, poor hand dexterity, and inability to touch the ground with the heel when walking. Some patients may also experience language development and articulation disorders as well as strabismus. Approximately one-third of patients may have varying degrees of seizures and intellectual disabilities. Treatment for cerebral palsy requires a comprehensive approach, including rehabilitation therapy, medication treatment, and surgical treatment. Depending on the specific condition of each patient, further neuroimaging examinations, neurophysiological examinations, or other relevant examinations may be needed to clarify the diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.