Cerebral Palsy – Early Interventions in Infancy are Essential

| June 5, 2020 | My medical specialty | No Comments

Cerebral Palsy describes disorders of development of movement and posture, caused by disturbances that occurred in the fetal or infant brain. The most important feature of cerebral palsy is abnormal coordination of movements and/or abnormality in muscle tone which manifest very early in child development[1].

Best prediction of cerebral palsy is based on carefully documented milestones of development of the child and detailed developmental assessment. Infants with possible cerebral palsy benefit from early diagnosis and early intervention[2]. Delays in diagnosis of cerebral palsy have significant negative long-term consequences for children[3].

The abnormal findings indicative of cerebral palsy should be diagnosed at the earliest, before 6 months of age. Early interventions should be provided to optimize the motor and cognitive plasticity and prevent secondary complications[4].

The role of the family in child development is very important. Family-centered services provide care for children with special needs[5]. Family centered program with educational and motor goals is associated with better developmental outcomes for infants at high risk for developmental disorders[6].

In high-risk infants for cerebral palsy, early intervention programs promote cognitive development. Motor development can also be improved. Programs that stimulate all aspects of infant development by training the family members are having the most promising results[7].

Experts in child guidance and developmental pediatrics can provide individualized scientific family centered very early intervention programs for developmental stimulation of infants with cerebral palsy and prevent the future secondary complications.

References:

  1. Panteliadis CP, Hagel C, Karch D, Heinemann K. Cerebral Palsy: A Lifelong Challenge Asks for Early Intervention. Open Neurol J. 2015;9:45‐52
  2. Herskind A, Greisen G, Nielsen JB. Early identification and intervention in cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2015;57(1):29‐36.
  3. Byrne R, Noritz G, Maitre NL; NCH Early Developmental Group. Implementation of Early Diagnosis and Intervention Guidelines for Cerebral Palsy in a High-Risk Infant Follow-Up Clinic. Pediatr Neurol. 2017;76:66‐71.
  4. Novak I, Morgan C, Adde L, et al. Early, Accurate Diagnosis and Early Intervention in Cerebral Palsy: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment [published correction appears in JAMA Pediatr. 2017 Sep 1;171(9):919]. JAMA Pediatr. 2017;171(9):897‐907.
  5. Dirks T, Hadders-Algra M. The role of the family in intervention of infants at high risk of cerebral palsy: a systematic analysis. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2011;53 Suppl 4:62‐67.
  6. Hielkema T, Hamer EG, Reinders-Messelink HA, et al. LEARN 2 MOVE 0-2 years: effects of a new intervention program in infants at very high risk for cerebral palsy; a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pediatr. 2010;10:76.
  7. Mijna Hadders-Algra. Early Diagnosis and Early Intervention in Cerebral Palsy. Front Neurol. 2014 Sep 24;5:185.