Question
A 5-month-old baby can’t lift its head, has disinterested eyes, and often clenches its fists. Where is the best place to treat cerebral palsy?
Answer
In cerebral palsy patients, 20% are caused by asphyxia and birth injuries. Factors leading to ischemia and oxygen deprivation include:
- Maternal factors: such as pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, heart failure, massive hemorrhage, anemia, shock, drug abuse, or drug overdose;
- Placental factors: such as placental abruption, placenta previa, placental necrosis, or impaired placental function;
- Umbilical cord blood flow obstruction: such as umbilical cord prolapse, compression, knotting, or nuchal cord;
- Abnormalities in the birthing process: such as breech presentation, prolonged labor, cesarean section (forceps delivery), or the use of anesthetics;
- Neonatal factors: In addition to asphyxia, there are many diseases affecting cardiopulmonary function. Such as: congenital heart disease, respiratory distress syndrome, systemic circulatory failure, polycythemia.