Cerebral Palsy

When a child has a health problem, parents want answers. But when a child has cerebral palsy, the answers don't come quickly. A diagnosis of this complex group of chronic conditions affecting movement and coordination is difficult to make and is typically delayed until the child is eighteen months old. Although the condition may be mild or severe, even general predictions about long-term prognosis seldom come before the child's second birthday. Written by a team of experts associated with the Cerebral Palsy Program at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, this authoritative resource provides parents and families with vital information that can help them cope with uncertainty. Thoroughly updated and revised to incorporate the latest medical advances, the second edition is a comprehensive guide to cerebral palsy. The book is organized into three parts. In the first, the authors describe specific patterns of involvement (hemiplegia, diplegia, quadriplegia), explain the medical and psychosocial implications of these conditions, and tell parents how to be effective advocates for their child. In the second part, the authors provide a wealth of practical advice about caregiving from nutrition to mobility. Part three features an extensive alphabetically arranged encyclopedia that defines and describes medical terms and diagnoses, medical and surgical procedures, and orthopedic and other assistive devices. Also included are lists of resources and recommended reading.

An invaluable starting point for anyone encountering cerebral palsy for the first time, this book provides essential background information on causes, types and symptoms, as well as vital advice about the treatments, therapies and sources of support available. Practical tips on everyday considerations such as communication, diet and education will help parents achieve the best quality of life for their child. A final chapter explores options after compulsory education and how best to support a young person making the transition to independent adulthood. Using personal experience and case studies as sources of inspiration, as well as a comprehensive list of resources to signpost readers to further information, this positive handbook will help parents and professionals more fully understand cerebral palsy and the different options available to people with the condition.

Fundamental to the successful treatment of children with cerebral palsy is the cooperation of parents in home handling. This new edition has been expanded and updated to include new information for therapists, parents, nurses and carers.

A great starting point for parents and professionals when they first encounter cerebral palsy, this book provides essential information on causes, types, symptoms and treatments as well as practical tips on everyday considerations such as communication and diet. This positive handbook will help readers more fully understand cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy poses multiple diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. It is not only a medical and scientific issue, but also one with many social, ethical, and economic implications. With many contributions from top European specialists, this book begins with chapters on the history and terminology, classification, incidence and prevalence, etiology, and neuropathology of cerebral palsy. Then diagnosis is covered with extensive chapters on the clinical characteristics of CP, differential diagnosis, and assessing with ultrasound, MRI, and nuclear/molecular imaging. Finally, detailed chapters provide comprehensive information on the newest treatment modalities for CP, including treatment with botulinum toxin, dorsal rhizotomy, intrathecal pharmacotherapy, stereotactic operations, and more. The book closes with chapters considering the psychological and psychosocial aspects of the condition. With its strong interdisciplinary foundation, this book is certain to be a valuable addition to the library of pediatricians, neurologists, and others who may be involved in the care of patients with cerebral palsy.

Dr. Miller’s valuable resource helps members of the medical team navigate the complexity of cerebral palsy care by explaining unfamiliar treatments that fall outside of their own disciplines. Readers also benefit from a review of current practices in their own fields. Includes recommended treatment algorithms and is designed to help improve decision making. Written in a very conversational style and illustrated with lots of color the volume provides rehabilitational (part 1) and surgical aspects (part 2). Accomplished by a CD-ROM which provides lots of case studies - including walking analysis. The most comprehensive title on this topic written by a leading expert.

This third edition systematically reviews recent developments in the diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of cerebral palsy, a consequence of foetal and early infant brain damage resulting in lifelong disabilities with a range of clinical characteristics. The first part discusses the definition, aetiology, classification, imaging and neuropathology, while the second focuses on the management of the individual challenges that children with cerebral palsy face, such as spasticity, dyskinesia, feeding problems and scoliosis. Based on the diverse characteristics of cerebral palsy, children require care from various specialists, including neuro-paediatricians, orthopaedists, psychologists, epidemiologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. This work was written by an international team of such specialists, providing a comprehensive mix of perspectives and expertise.