Diagnostics/Treatment

Diagnosis is mainly based on the clinical picture.

• Cranial ultrasonography (early neonatal period): e.g., intracerebral hemorrhage and/or hypoxic-ischemic injury, structural abnormalities

• MRI (in older infants): to detect causative lesion (e.g., periventricular leukomalacia, congenital malformation, intracranial hemorrhage)

• Hypothyroid myopathy

• Mitochondrial myopathy

• Progressive muscular dystrophies

• Myelomeningocele

• Traumatic peripheral nerve lesions

• Genetic syndromes

There is no curative therapy for cerebral palsy. Management is dependent on the severity and nature of symptoms. A multidisciplinary approach is employed in management to improve function and quality of life.

• Nonpharmacological management

  • Physical therapy: prevent muscle contractures

  • Occupational therapy: motor skill development

  • Speech therapy: communication skills and dysphagia

  • Orthotic devices (e.g., braces, splints, and casts) and assistive devices (e.g., wheelchairs, walkers)

  • Educational support for intellectual disability

  • Nutritional support for dysphagia

  • Social and psychological support

• Pharmacological management

  • Antispasmodics (e.g., botulinum toxin, baclofen, dantrolene, benzodiazepines)

  • Anticonvulsants

  • Anticholinergics for rigidity and sialorrhea

• Surgery: orthopedic surgery to treat scoliosis, relieve contractures, and neurosurgical management of spasms