How Improvements in Neonatology Helps the Reduction in Number Of Babies Having Cerebral Palsy
Thanks to improvements in neonatal and obstetrical care, there have been considerable decline in the rates of injuries and death in babies and mothers. The risk of neurologic disabilities in babies and children has been greatly reduced through interventions such as:
- Administration of “folate” to pregnant women
- Avoidance of exposure to certain kinds of toxic substances and agents
- Immunizations
- The correct use of car seats and helmets older children and babies.
Because of the modern advances in medicine, a lot of people expect that science should be able to help prevent cerebral palsy, which is known to be the most common form of serious motor handicap in children.
Cerebral palsy or CP as it is commonly called, is a group of conditions characterized by persistent disorders of posture or movement. The origin of this medical condition is cerebral and arises quite early in the life of the sufferer and is not caused by progressive disease. Cerebral palsy is often accompanied by sensory impairment, cognitive limitation and seizure disorders. CP is diverse in both its causation and its manifestation.
Cerebral palsy “may be” prevented by certain means that are now available. A vital indicator of the success in cerebral palsy prevention would be a reduction in its prevalence.
A couple of CP prevention techniques in developing countries include:
- Immunization of expectant mothers against rubella
- Iodine supplementation for mothers in regions where cretinism is endemic
- Control of hyperbilirubinemia in children
- Avoidance of exposing children to benzyl alcohol
- Immunizing infants against measles in order to prevent acquired motor and other types of disabilities.
Though, the aforementioned causes of CP are uncommon in developed nations. The occurrence of familial types of CP, which have been found mainly in inbred societies, might be reduced by the avoiding consanguineous unions.
The increased utilization of neuro-imaging practices in the assessment of symptomatic neonates has led to the early identification of arterial ischemic stroke prior to birth or in the first month after in about 1 in 4000 term babies. In other babies, the incidence of perinatal stroke has been retrospectively recognized when the neuro-imaging was performed after the earlier months of pregnancy because of the development of seizure or hemiparesis. In a lot of neonates (but not all) who suffer strokes, CP later develops. There are no estimates that are available of the amount of cases that actually arise from early stroke, because stroke is the possibly the best known cause of hemiparetic CP and is known to also cause some cases of spastic quadriplegic CP.
The most important thing that expectant mothers should do is to devour as much information as they possibly can on how to reduce the risk of giving birth to a child with cerebral palsy. Mothers should ensure that they call the attention of their doctor to any medical concerns that they may have; especially when they sense that there is something wrong with their baby.
Author likes to read and submit articles about health, child health to be specific.You can visit About Cerebral Palsy to know more about how Lawyers who are also doctors can help you with the cerebral palsy case.
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