Cerebral palsy: The condition that snatch executive chairman and CEO of Microsoft Satya Nadella's son.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's son named Zain, who was born with Cerebral Palsy (CP), died last week.
CP is a congenital disorder that Zain suffered is highlighted again.
Cerebral means something that is related to the brain, Palsy means weakness or issues with using the muscles.You may say that Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture of a patient.
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Child was born three pounds and he did not cry at the time of birth.
Reason may be hypoxic brain (less oxigen to brain tissues), abnormal pregnancy, breech delivery maternal infections, traumatic head injury, genetic mutations, bleeding into the brain, baby infections and fatal stroke etc.
Zain was treated in Seattle Children's Hospital with its state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. at that time he must not be aware how their life changed due to Cerebral Palsy.
He come to know that due to utero asphyxiation now Zain would require a wheelchair as it caused severe cerebral palsy.
It is a devastated moments for thousands of families if they get to know such things.
CEREBRAL PALSY affects patient's ability to control his or her muscles.
There is abnormal brain development in such cases .
Type of cerebral palsy:
CP can affect the whole body, or just be limited to one or two limbs, or one side of the body.
On the bases of this it can be termed as quadriplegic (all limb), hemiplegic ( half side of the body), biplegic (both upper or lower limbs) or monoplegic( single limb).
On the bases of spasticity ( hard muscles tone) or flacidity (loos muscles tone) patient can be classified as spastic CP or flacid CP.
Other types
Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (no movement control)
Ataxic cerebral palsy (no cordination of movement) mixed cerebral palsy.
Signs and symptoms:
Patients with cerebral Palsy have problems with 1. movement
2. Coordination
3. Speech
4. Eating
5. Delayed development aka delay milestone.
What are milestones:
Milestones are the predicted stages for when a child reaches a significant stage in their development such as neck holding, walking or talking etc.
A delayed milestone is when a child has not attained a significant stage at the predicted age.
Associated conditions with cerebral palsy:
Children with cerebral palsy often have associated conditions that can affect a child's quality of life. Children or adults with the disease may face:
1. Respiratory problems
2. Speech impairment
3. Oral motor impairments
4. Digestive issues
5. vision impairment
6. Hearing impairment
7. Epileptic seizures.
A person with severe Cerebral Palsy need to use special aid and appliances to sit stand and walk.
CP patients might not be able to walk at all and might need lifelong care.
Patients with mild Cerebral Palsy, might be able to walk a little but not properly.
They may not need any special help.
The condition does not get worse with time, though the exact symptoms can change over a person's lifestyle.
CP is a non-progressive disorder of the brain tissues and it usually happens prenatal (before a child is born), but it may also occur at birth or in early infancy <5 years.
According to Dr. Pratibha BPT, MPT Neurology renowned physiotherapy consultant in Kasturba hospital, "The symptoms of CP can vary from patient to patient". She added that common clinical symptoms shown by these patients are delayed milestones, flacidity / spasticity of limbs, low mental ability and restricted movements.
Proper maternal and neonatal care along with avoiding Hypoxia during birth can avoid this disorder.
She emphasis on neonatal exercises, lifestyle modifications and relaxation techniques during pregnancy.
Routine checkup during pregnancy is a must.
If this disorder happened to someone there are no 100% proven methods currently to fully prevent cerebral palsy. This is because the exact cause of the disease is not known fully yet, so
avoid exposure to infections or viruses known to impact fetus health, avoiding drinking and smoking during pregnancy.
Spastic CP is the most common type of CP spastic society of India is working great for these patients.
Mostly stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes, making it difficult to walk.
There is no treatment to cure for C fully, available treatments can improve the lives of those who are suffering this condition.
Treatment is mix of medications, therapies(Bobath techniques), as per need surgical procedures.
Drugs that can reduce muscle spasticity used to improve functional abilities.
Pain killer treat pain.
Most popular therapy
Physiotherapy also known as physical therapy with occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and recreational therapy.
Surgical procedures may include orthopaedic surgery eg. Z-plasty and cutting nerve fibers.
Children and adults with cerebral palsy require lifelong care with a medical care team.
Early intervention can improve outcomes.
The unfortunate news of Zain's demise provoke me to write this blog.
We are with grieving family in this tough time
Praying to God for giving Nadela family strength to bear this loss.