Cerebral Palsy Prognosis Prediction

Cerebral Palsy Prognosis Prediction

Cerebral palsy can present in various forms & severity. Its severity varies from mild affection to very severe disability. They can have associated medical disabilities in various combinations. Because of this variable presentation, the prognosis is variable for each child with CP. Most of them live up to a nearly normal life span. A few severely affected children will face many medical challenges that decrease life expectancy.

A decrease in life expectancy is not because of cerebral palsy. It is also not possible to predict the prognosis in the first instance, because of variable presentation and associated medical problems.

Every child is unique, but still, after repeated evaluation and care-full monitoring, the cerebral palsy specialist can predict a provisional prognosis for a child with CP. Prediction of prognosis can be made at the age of 2 years.

Worldwide literature has given some insight—

• 60% of children can have independent ambulation.
• 10% will need walking assistive devices
• 25% unable to talk
• 30% unable to walk
• 50% will be intellectually impaired
• 25% will have epilepsy
• 20% will have a sleep disorder

There is no way to predict prognosis. But with careful planning, we can increase the quality of life in these children. Early identification, early intervention, and direct involvement of family members in diagnosis and treatment planning and implementation can have a great impact on the outcome.

Treatment is necessary but it is only one part of the whole rehab program. Taking these children to the mainstream by schooling, actively joining social functions, sharing their feeling with others and enjoying their life and accepting their disability goes a long way to improve quality of life.

Early identification & constant watch on the associated medical problems also affect long-term outcomes.

Is Cerebral Palsy A Permanent Disability?

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong disability. There is no known cure for cerebral palsy because brain damage is irreparable.  But disability can be progressive, regressive & can remain static.

The cerebral palsy prognosis depends upon the extent of the brain lesion, the associated medical problems, quality of rehab program & timing of rehab intervention. With early intervention, 80% of children can have a good quality of life.  The age of walking cerebral palsy children is equal to the normal population. They can perform all the activities of life.

Chances of mental retardation, epilepsy are more in children with severe disability & Quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy. Most of ambulatory children can live happily in professional & family life. The nutritional, feeding problems, uncontrolled epilepsy can have a very bad impact on the quality of life in these children.

Severely bedridden, children with uncontrolled epilepsy & nutritional problems don’t survive more than 30 years of age but otherwise mild to moderately affected children with good quality medical care can survive up to normal age as compared to normal the population.

It is common fact that if absent neck holding at the age of 1 year, sitting balance at 2 years & standing balance at 4 years age is not achieved, then a chance of independent walking is rare. Qualities of surgical, therapeutic intervention also have a great impact on locomotors’ outcomes.

With the Continuation of physical therapy, good medical assistance & walking aid, training in ADL quality of life can be improved to a great extent.

Cerebral Plasy Treatment: Sharing Experience of Excellent Recovery –   Check Video