Celebral Palsy.

Brain infections, like meningitis, are the most common cause of celebral palsy among Filipinos. Cerebral palsy is movement and posture disorder acquired usually at birth or in childhood.

According to the Cerebral Palsied Association of the Phlippines (CPAP), a non-government organization, apart from brain infection - which is the leading cause of celebral palsy in the contry, acquired celebral palsy can be caused by head injury when a child is between two months and five years old.

Head injury can be sustained from a fall, child abuse or vehicular mishap.

When acquired cerebral palsy comes after the child turns two years of age, one of its common manifestations or symptoms is mental retardation.

The incidence of celebral palsy throughout the world has been widely studied. In a major study in Sweeden between 1954 and 1970, there was a decrease of 2.3 to 1.4 incidence rate per 1,000 live births.

In the 1970's the palsy incidence increased. Between 1979 and 1982 more children were born prematurely with resulting disabilities.

Similar results were found in other industrialized nations. The worldwide incidence rate in 1979 was reported to range from 1 to 5.9 per 1,000 live births.

In the US it is 2 per 1,000 live births. In the Philippines CPAP said a conservative estimate would be 3.5 per 1,000 live births.

According to Philippine Cerebral Palsy Inc., a non-stock and non-profit organization, celebral palsy is caused by injury to the brain before, during or shortly after birth.

During birth, problems such as the baby not getting enough oxygen, or difficult delivery may also cause injury to the child's brain.

Problems after birth may likewise happen when a baby is prematurely delivered and his body is not ready to live outside the mother's womb.

Even babies born in normal delivery, however, may develop infection or bleeding in their brain, ultimately injuring it as it develop after birth.

Experts advise parents to be aware of important growth and developmental landmarks in the lives of their children, so they will know what to expect in normal child development and growth.

Once familiar with the stages of growth and development, parents will be able to recognize any deviation from or slowness in child's development and maturation process.

There are cerebral palsy symptoms to watch out for in newborn infants, including poor head control after the three months of age, stiff or rigid arms or legs, pushing away or arching the back (floppy or limp posture), inability to sit up without support after eight months, and when the child only uses one side of the body or arms to crawl.

Some behavioral problems may also appear such as extreme irritability, failure to smile by three months, feeding difficulties, persistent gagging or choking when fed after six months of age especially if the tongue pushes the food out of the mouth.

Unfortunately, cerlebral palsy is incurable. It is also considered a non-progressive condition so the damage done to the brain is set for life.

The degree of palsy from a minor condition to a severe physical and mental disability no longer permits parents to think of "normalcy" for their afflicted children.

CPAP noted that within the limits of the disability, the child will adapt and accomplish whatever is possible.

A child whose legs are severely affected may not win a race but such individuals can compete at their own level.

Most often, the child with cerebral will become an adult who uses his or abilities to gain independence and achieve realistic goals.

CPAP, in its statement, noted that studies demonstrated that at least 50 percent of people with the condition have some degree of mental retardation although most may be only mildly retarded.

Even severely disabled persons with cerebral palsy (and there are many) have escaped damage to that part of the brain involved with intelligence .

A careful assessment and evaluation by professional team will be crucial in determining to what extent the child is or is not retarded.