When to suspect a child with Cerebral palsy (CP)?

Cerebral palsy (CP), an unwelcome global phenomenon is a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture. World Cerebral Palsy Day, which occurs annually on October 6, reminds us that more than 17 million people impacted by this disorder. Cerebral palsy is one of the most common physical disabilities affecting the most vulnerable among us — children. Additionally, Cerebral palsy occurs over the span of a child’s entire lifetime with no cure.Some cultures believe that a mother was cursed for doing something wrong if her child was born with Cerebral palsy. World Cerebral Palsy Day is an opportunity to produce actions and educate people that will lead to more open minds and societies.

Cerebral palsy (CP) affects body movement and muscle coordination, is not hereditary nor contagious but is a life-long condition. It is the number one physical disability in children, and while many adults with Cerebral palsy (CP) work and lead productive lives many are bound by therapy and equipment expenses that can be debilitating.

• 1 in 4 children cannot walk
• 1 in 2 have an intellectual disability
• 1 in 4 have epilepsy.
• Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifelong disability and there is no known cure.

The symptoms vary from person to person. A person with severe CP might need to use special equipment to be able to walk, or might not be able to walk at all and might need lifelong care. A person with mild CP, on the other hand, might walk a little awkwardly, but might not need any special help. CP does not get worse over time, though the exact symptoms can change over a person’s lifetime.

• Delay in developmental milestones (such as rolling over, sitting, standing, or walking)
• While walking/ standing legs get stiff and they cross or scissor
• Below one year if child is showing handedness or preferring to use one side of limbs

Diagnosing CP at an early age is important to the well-being of children and their families.

There is no cure for CP, but treatment can improve the lives of those who have the condition. It is important to begin a treatment program as early as possible.

After a CP diagnosis is made, a team of health professionals works with the child and family to develop a plan to help the child reach his or her full potential. Common treatments include medicines; surgery; braces; and physical, occupational, and speech therapy. No single treatment is the best one for all children with CP. Before deciding on a treatment plan, it is important to talk with the child’s doctor to understand all the risks and benefits.

In general, CP child’s risk from coronavirus is equal to that of other people. However, if cp child has associated significant, chronic conditions that impact the general health, the child could belong to a more high-risk group for more severe complications of this viral infection. This would include significant immobility, multiple disabilities, ongoing respiratory conditions, poor nutrition, and complex medical status / medical fragility.

Due to the lockdown, all the multidisciplinary cerebral palsy (CP) clinics are suspended. Careful discussion with your physicians is the best. Contact your doctor if child has symptoms of COVID-19 infection or has been exposed to someone known to have it. During this time of utmost caution, we recommend avoiding all non-essential contacts outside the home which would include most therapy visits, equipment visits, and the like. Feel free to reach out to your doctor with questions about how best to manage at home. It is strongly recommend doing a regular home exercise program and following your therapist advice on brace wear, use of standers or gait trainers, and activity.

World Cerebral Palsy Day is a movement of people with Cerebral Palsy and their families, and the organisations that support them, in more than 75 countries. The vision is to ensure that children and adults with Cerebral Palsy (CP) have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society. It is only together, that we can make that happen.This year, become a catalyst for change to help improve the lives of those with cerebral palsy.

All around the world, people and communities have had to adapt to big changes caused by COVID-19.