Question

My child was diagnosed with pediatric cerebral palsy at birth. After examination and treatment, there has been some improvement, but they are still not as capable as their peers. How can we enhance the effectiveness of the treatment for pediatric cerebral palsy?

Answer

The symptoms of cerebral palsy include joint spasticity, spinal deformities, and other subsequent changes that gradually worsen. It may be accompanied by epilepsy, intellectual disability, sensory impairments, and behavioral disorders. The manifestation of cerebral palsy can be divided into various types:

  1. Spastic type: Mainly characterized by stiffness in the limbs.
  2. Athetoid type: Limbs and head exhibit unconscious involuntary movements. When performing purposeful actions, whole-body involuntary movements increase, such as squinting eyes or difficulty speaking and swallowing, often accompanied by drooling.
  3. Ataxic type: Characterized by muscle weakness in the limbs, inability to maintain body balance, and unsteady gait. It is unable to complete delicate actions such as pointing with fingers to the nose. Simple ataxia is relatively rare. Ataxia can also be associated with athetoid movement. To improve the effectiveness of treatment for pediatric cerebral palsy, the following aspects can be combined:
  4. Physical Therapy: Through exercise training and physical therapy to improve the child’s muscle control and coordination abilities.
  5. Speech Therapy: Through language training and treatment to improve the child’s language expression and communication skills.
  6. Medication Therapy: Depending on the specific situation, doctors may consider using certain medications to alleviate symptoms caused by cerebral palsy, such as muscle spasticity or epilepsy.
  7. Surgical Treatment: For severe spinal deformities and other conditions, doctors may recommend surgery to correct them. However, each child’s situation is unique, and the effectiveness of treatment varies from person to person. It is recommended to discuss with professional doctors to develop targeted treatment plans and continuously observe and adjust during the treatment process.