Medical Questions » Other Problems Questions » Question No. 758
| Question: | My sister has just found out that her son has cerebral palsy. He is only four months old, and I would like to know how do doctors treat children with this problem? |
| Answer: | Cerebral palsy can vary dramatically from one person to another. Some have slight difficulty in controlling one limb, others may be unable to talk clearly, yet others may be totally unable to care for themselves in any way.
Understandably there may be emotional and social problems associated with this incurable disease. Doctors do their best to control the muscle spasms, give emotional and psychiatric support and treat the skin, chest and orthopaedic problems that beset these people; but the most effective help comes from teams of nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and volunteers who devote their lives to the management of these patients in a lifestyle which is as near to normal as possible.
Early recognition that an infant has cerebral palsy can be very beneficial, because the sooner treatment is started, the less severe the long-term problems are likely to be.
Operations to correct deformities and release spasm in limbs can complement medications which also reduce the uncontrollable twitching that may occur. Paramedical staff can instruct the child in the control of an unwilling body.
There is no likelihood in the future of any cure being found for spastics, because once part of the brain is damaged, it is unable to repair itself.
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