Cerebral palsy : infants are better supported

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Published the 08.10.2017 at 13: 00

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Cerebral palsy is a disease with multiple facets. But surprisingly silent. While 125,000 people suffer from this set of motor disorders and stroke, the research is slow to find solutions. On the occasion of the world Day of the 6 October, the Foundation Cerebral Palsy therefore calls his greeting a coordinated effort.

Find ways to reduce the risk of injuries and improve the care of patients are both critical steps. They will reduce the motor disability was the most common in children. Because it is becoming scarce for the past ten years… but at a very slow pace.

-2 % per year

Among the children born in 2006, one of the 570 has a cerebral palsy. The symptoms are varied : disorders of the contraction of the muscles, paralysis, epilepsy, incontinence… But each time, a common point, brain damage that occurred either during pregnancy, or during or after birth.

Just like the symptoms, the causes of cerebral palsy are multiple. “The causes can be vascular, infectious, in the oxygenation of the brain… After the birth, one can observe accidental causes, or infectious,” explains Catherine Arnaud, doctor of public health at the university of Toulouse (Haute-Garonne), Why Doctor.

This researcher in the field of epidemiology has been working for many years on cerebral palsy. And his latest analysis suggests a pretty positive trend. “Since the late 1980s, there has been a decrease of 2 % of the cases of cerebral palsy on live births “, the Dr Arnaud.

Manage the damage

Other good news, the severe forms of cerebral palsy are retreating. Now, a quarter of the patients suffer from. Ten years ago, they were a third party to submit such a form. “This evolution is explained by an improvement of the coordination of care, organization of care, the identification and early care of vulnerable children,” explains Catherine Arnaud.

In fact, the services of neonatology are trained to follow with attention the babies at risk. Those who are born prematurely, for example, or whose delivery has been complicated. The opportunity to identify very early cases of cerebral palsy. At the present time, the diagnosis is to three or six months, when the motor begins to develop.

Listen…

Catherine Arnaud, doctor of public health : “The important thing is to take charge very early. “

This intensive monitoring is also an opportunity to develop preventive strategies. Because the researchers are currently a bet, that of brain plasticity. In other words, take advantage of the “flexibility” of the brain so that it applies to networks other than those damaged.