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Support groupsFrom other websitesContent disclaimerContent on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy is a form of cerebral palsy that affects both arms and legs and often the torso and face. Quadriplegia is the most severe of the three types of spastic cerebral palsy. It requires lifelong treatment and support.[1] What Is Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy?Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common form of this condition that affects muscles and movement. It is characterized by increased muscle tone. This makes muscles stiff and movements jerky and awkward. Subtypes of spastic cerebral palsy describe the parts of the body affected. In spastic quadriplegia, the condition affects both legs and arms as well as the trunk and face in many children. How Severe Is Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy?Quadriplegia is the most severe form of cerebral palsy because it affects so many areas of the body. Children with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy usually cannot walk, and they are more likely to have multiple associated conditions, like speech difficulties or seizures. A child born with this condition benefits from early interventions and treatments. However, they will need lifetime support and care. What Causes Cerebral Palsy?Spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy is caused by the same conditions as any type of cerebral palsy. The overarching cause is brain damage before birth, during, or shortly after. Many factors can play into an infant developing brain damage, including prematurity, fetal infections or stroke, maternal infections or medical conditions, exposure to toxins, or medical negligence. Lifelong Financial Assistance for Your Child's Birth InjuryCerebral PalsyGet Help Now During 26 to 34 weeks of gestation, the white matter of an infant’s brain is very susceptible to damage. White matter sends signals from the brain to the rest of the body and, if damaged, can lead to the entire body being affected. Lesions or holes in the white matter of the brain can lead to spastic quadriplegia. Infants in utero can also develop brain damage from fetal strokes. In some instances, fetal strokes are caused by placental blood clots and placenta previa. Weakly-formed blood vessels in the brain may also lead to fetal strokes. Maternal high blood pressure during pregnancy leads to an increased risk of fetal stroke.[2] This is an unfortunate yet common issue during pregnancy, and it’s up to physicians to help monitor mothers throughout pregnancy and diagnose and treat developing problems as soon as possible. Does Medical Malpractice Cause Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy?It’s often difficult or impossible to find a single cause of cerebral palsy. A doctor’s or a nurse’s negligent errors can cause brain damage that results in cerebral palsy:
Symptoms of Spastic QuadriplegiaSymptoms of spastic quadriplegia are more severe than other types of CP and can include:
What Are the Early Signs of Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy?As the most severe type of cerebral palsy, early signs are usually obvious and easy to spot. A baby will show immediate signs of stiff muscles, such as rigid or crossed legs and arms, spastic limbs, tense muscles, and tremors. Babies with cerebral palsy often miss developmental milestones. These include holding up the head, rolling over, and sitting. What Are the Complications of Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy?Since spastic quadriplegia can affect the child’s entire body, there is an increased risk of developing limb deformities.[3] Spastic muscles continuously pulling on the bones and joints can cause issues over time, especially if not treated properly. Other complications include:
Diagnosing Spastic QuadriplegiaSpastic quadriplegia is generally diagnosed during infancy when doctors detect a significant delay in the baby’s development. It’s one of the few types of cerebral palsy in which diagnosis occurs before the child completes the first year of life.[5] Treatment Options for Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral PalsyTreatment for spastic quadriplegia varies for each child, depending upon the severity of symptoms. Traditional treatment options for children with spastic CP include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medications, assistive devices and technology, and in some instances, surgery. Physical TherapyThe first-line treatment for children with any form of spastic cerebral palsy is almost always physical therapy. Physical therapists aim to provide children the tools to be as independent as possible via flexibility exercises, stretching, and range-of-motion activities. Therapists use age-appropriate toys and games to make physical therapy as enjoyable as possible.[6] Occupational TherapyThe goal of occupational therapy is to help a child develop skills to perform daily activities and tasks as independently as possible, which helps them at home, school, and within their community. Since children with spastic quadriplegia have limited abilities to use their arms and legs, much of the occupational therapy approach may focus on ways to strengthen and coordinate the use of their hands and fingers. Speech TherapyAs its name suggests, speech therapy helps to improve speech and language patterns. The goal of speech therapy is to assist with oral articulation and coordination. Some children with spastic quadriplegia have difficulty coordinating the face and tongue muscles and may have a hard time swallowing. Therapy is needed to overcome this to whatever extent possible to eat safely. Speech therapists can also help the child use assistive communication devices to help them convey information when they cannot speak or if their speech is poorly understood. This can significantly improve their quality of life at home and in the learning environment. MedicationsSeveral types of medications can help treat spastic quadriplegia CP. For the relief of spasticity, doctors may prescribe muscle relaxants. They may be given orally or sometimes by injection. Additionally, kids with spastic quadriplegia may be given medication to treat secondary, associated conditions of CP, such as epilepsy, gastric reflux, or constipation.[7] SurgerySurgery is the treatment of last resort for most forms of CP, but it can play a role for children with spastic quadriplegia. Many surgeries are used to correct problems with shortened muscles, dislocated joints, spinal deformities, and other issues causing pain and impairment in children with severe spasticity. Since muscle stiffness is a large part of the reason children with spastic quadriplegia have so many health issues, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) may be considered an option. SDR is a surgery that helps relax the muscles and improve mobility in various areas of the body.[8] What Is the Outlook for a Child with Spastic Quadriplegia?The prognosis for a child with quadriplegia is worse than for other forms of CP. This type has an increased risk of more complications and associated conditions that can shorten lifespan and compromise a child’s ability to live independently. Although there is no cure for spastic quadriplegia, therapies, medications, and surgical options have given numerous children the chance to lead more productive lives. Contact a birth injury lawyer if you believe your child suffered harm due to medical malpractice. They can evaluate your case and help you seek compensation to cover lifelong treatment and care. Lifelong Financial Assistance for Your Child's Birth InjuryCerebral PalsyGet Help Now References
Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Gina Jansheski, M.D.Gina Jansheski, M.D. is a Board Certified Pediatrician and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has been a practicing pediatrician for over 20 years, working primarily with hospitalized patients and children with special needs. See Full Bio Which of the following refers to a malformation of the spinal cord before birth group of answer choices?Spina bifida is a birth defect that mainly affects the spine.
What term do educators use to refer to a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely?Orthopedic impairment is defined as a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child's educational performance.
Which of the following is a component of the definition of multiple disabilities except?Each of the following is a component of the definition of multiple disabilities except: Needs may be accommodated by programs for just one of the impairments.
Can people with cerebral palsy talk?Communication issues
Some people with cerebral palsy may not be able to produce any sounds, others may be able to produce sounds but have difficulty controlling their movement enough to produce speech that is clear and understood by others. 1 in 4 people with cerebral palsy cannot talk.
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Which type of cerebral palsy is the most common and is characterized by tightness in one or more muscle groups?
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