Misconceptions about cerebral palsy being contagious, inherited, caused solely by birth-related oxygen deprivation or untreatable often delay specialist care, doctors at KGMU said ahead of World CP Day.
People believe CP always develops due to lack of oxygen during childbirth. Because the brain injury cannot be reversed, another misconception is that treatment is impossible.
Such misconceptions delay specialist care, experts said on the eve of World CP Day. In nearly seven out of ten cases, children can lead near-normal lives if they receive treatment early,” Verma said. Prof RK Garg, head of Neurology at KGMU, and Verma said CP is a brain injury that affects movement, posture and balance but does not progressively worsen. Verma said the condition is not infectious and cannot spread from one child to another. “While oxygen deprivation can be a contributing factor, the condition can result from several causes affecting brain development before, during or shortly after birth,” said experts. Verma said physiotherapy, supportive braces and, in some cases, surgery can improve movement and address problems affecting muscles and joints.
Lucknow: Parents often believe cerebral palsy (CP), a condition caused by damage to the developing brain that affects movement and muscle control, is contagious, inherited, caused by parental actions or untreatable. “Although the brain injury cannot be reversed, coordination and movement in the arms and legs can be improved at a young age. Early rehabilitation can prevent muscles from becoming tight and joints from losing flexibility, reducing the need for surgery later.