Question
How to Treat Pediatric Cerebral Palsy?
Answer
The treatment for pediatric cerebral palsy usually depends on the type and severity of the symptoms. Here are the three common types of pediatric cerebral palsy and their symptoms:
- Spastic Cerebral Palsy: Characterized by stiffness and muscle tension in the limbs.
- Athetoid Cerebral Palsy: Involves involuntary, unconscious movements of the limbs and head, with increased involuntary movements during purposeful actions, such as frowning and blinking of the eyes, difficulty in speaking and swallowing, and often accompanied by drooling.
- Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: Features weakness in the limbs, inability to maintain body balance, unsteady gait, and inability to perform fine motor tasks. Ataxia can also be associated with athetoid cerebral palsy, where children often struggle to maintain a fixed posture, need frequent adjustments while standing to maintain balance, have a late start in walking compared to normal children, walk with wider spacing between their feet, a wobbly gait, and poor directional sense. It is recommended to seek treatment at professional cerebral palsy hospitals to obtain personalized treatment plans.