Articles tagged with Cerebral Palsy
A clinical trial is underway to determine if infusing stem cells from umbilical cord blood can improve the lives of children with cerebral palsy. The study will include 40 children aged 2-12, who will receive either a real or placebo infusion of cord blood.
A new review of scientific literature found that only a few anti-spasticity medications used for children with cerebral palsy have sufficient research backing their use. The American Academy of Neurology has released a new practice guideline on effective treatments, highlighting the need for more research on commonly used drugs.
Researchers found that custom videogames improved hand function and forearm bone health in teens with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. The games were designed to be used remotely, reducing costs and increasing accessibility to rehabilitation therapy.
A systematic review found that constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) shows promise in improving arm use in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. CIMT forces the use of the affected side, and positive effects were demonstrated 6 to 8 months after intervention.
Children with microcephaly are at risk of neurologic and cognitive problems, including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and eye and ear disorders. Doctors recommend screening for coexisting conditions, brain scans, and genetic testing to identify the causes of microcephaly.
Researchers are using archived newborn blood spot data in Michigan to investigate the causes of cerebral palsy, a leading disabling motor disorder in children. The two-year study will analyze genetic signatures and potential pathways, including hormonal, inflammatory, and blood-clotting factors.
Bilateral pallidal deep brain stimulation has been shown to improve movement skills and quality of life in some patients with dystonia-choreoathetosis cerebral palsy. The treatment resulted in sustained improvement in motor symptoms, but variability in response was observed.
Researchers found evidence that magnesium sulfate administration significantly reduces the risk of cerebral palsy in children at risk. However, a roundtable discussion highlighted the need for further clarification on its use due to conflicting results from well-designed trials and observational studies.
Researchers at MIT have developed robotic devices that help children with cerebral palsy improve their motor skills and reduce impairment. The therapy uses gentle guidance to rebuild brain connections, showing promising results in pilot studies involving 36 children.
Researchers developed compounds that inhibit an enzyme producing nitric oxide, a neurotransmitter that can damage brain tissue. The treatment was effective in preventing cerebral palsy in animal models, suggesting a potential preventive strategy for humans in the future.
A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that babies born just a few weeks prematurely are three times as likely to have cerebral palsy and developmental delays. The research analyzed medical records of over 140,000 children born in California between 2000 and 2004.
A multicenter study found that intravenous magnesium sulfate supplementation before preterm delivery cuts the risk for cerebral palsy in half. The study enrolled 2,241 women and found a significantly lower rate of all forms of cerebral palsy among those receiving magnesium sulfate.
Researchers found that mothers who received magnesium sulfate during preterm labor had a lower risk of cerebral palsy in their infants. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that magnesium sulfate may protect against cerebral palsy by stabilizing blood vessels and reducing inflammation.
Researchers are gathering genetic samples from 10,000 people across Australia to investigate the possible genetic causes of cerebral palsy. The study aims to identify specific genetic mutations that may lead to the condition, with the goal of developing potential disease preventions and treatments.
A study found that premature children, born before 33 weeks gestation, are at a higher risk of developing severe disabilities. The number of children surviving very preterm birth has increased, but so have adverse developmental outcomes.
Researchers have discovered a link between viral infection, particularly from the herpes group, and pregnancy-induced hypertensive disease and pre-term birth. The study found viral nucleic acid in heel-prick blood samples of 1326 newborn babies, including over 400 with cerebral palsy.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that multiple corticosteroid injections in pregnant women are linked to an increased rate of cerebral palsy among children. The study suggests that exposure to repeat courses should be limited to minimize this risk.
A multi-center study found that repeated courses of steroids given to premature babies may increase the risk of cerebral palsy. The study, led by Dr. Ronald Wapner, followed 556 infants and found that six out of 248 who received multiple steroid courses had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Studies have shown that children born through assisted reproduction techniques face higher risks of complications during and after pregnancy, including increased rates of pre-eclampsia, stillbirths, low birthweight, and major malformations.
Most children aged 8-12 years with cerebral palsy experience similar quality of life (QoL) as other children, according to a new study published in The Lancet. The study found that type and severity of impairments do not affect QoL for six categories, but specific impairments are associated with poorer QoL in four categories.
Researchers discovered that APOE genotypes increase susceptibility to cerebral palsy in newborns. The study found a threefold-elevated risk for children with quadriplegia/triplegia and more severe motor impairment.
The prevalence of cerebral palsy in premature babies has decreased significantly since the 1980s, thanks to improved neonatal care. According to a study published in The Lancet, the incidence rate dropped from 60.6 per 1000 live births in 1980 to 39.5 in 1996.
New Jersey Institute of Technology researchers are developing technologies to assist children with cerebral palsy, including a robotic arm that guides human motion and interactive video games to promote motor skill improvement. The goal is to enhance the children's quality of life by reducing stiffness in their joints.
Researchers found that adult stem cell therapy significantly improves recovery of motor function and balance in an animal model of cerebral palsy. The treatment, which involves injecting stem cells directly into the brain, showed a 20% reduction in favoring the unaffected side and a 25% improvement in balance.
Researchers found that cerebral palsy was more likely to occur in infants who had no symptoms early in life and sustained injury to deep structures of the brain. The study included over 199,000 children born between 1997 and 2002 and reported a higher rate of significant long-term neurologic impairment.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia are using an animal model of cerebral palsy to identify the most effective way to transplant stem cells. They aim to determine whether transplanted stem cells work best when injected directly into the brain along with natural chemicals called chemokines.
According to the study, MRI is superior to ultrasound in predicting cerebral palsy in preterm infants. Ultrasound should be used as the first imaging technique due to its availability and lower cost.
Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist have developed a non-surgical treatment for cerebral palsy patients using Botox injections. The treatment has shown significant improvement in functional ability and muscle relaxation, allowing patients to perform daily activities with greater ease.
Researchers found no signs of impending brain injury from fetal heart rate monitoring, highlighting the need for alternative diagnostic methods. White matter brain injury is a common cause of cerebral palsy, but current monitoring systems may not be effective in detecting it.
The American Academy of Neurology recommends early neuroimaging tests to diagnose cerebral palsy. This helps parents and physicians understand the disorder's cause and create effective treatment plans. The guidelines also suggest screening for related disorders, such as mental retardation and speech disorders.
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit difficulty controlling muscles due to brain damage, rendering everyday tasks challenging. An innovative therapy approach has yielded significant benefits in enhancing motor function and overall quality of life for treated children.
A study of 327 infants found chorioamnionitis increases CP risk by 4 times, with maternal black ethnicity and older age also associated. Chorioamnionitis was present in 14% of cases and controls.
Research suggests that low and high birthweights are associated with a higher risk of cerebral palsy. Babies born with weights below the 10th percentile or above the 97th percentile had a four to six times increased risk, respectively.
A study of 250 children found that botulinum toxin significantly improved symptoms of muscle spasticity, enabling them to perform daily tasks such as feeding and writing for the first time. Long-term use of the drug showed minimal adverse effects and maintained effectiveness over two years or more.