Cerebral palsy: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
Which of the following is a recognized risk factor for cerebral palsy?
A. Preterm birth
B. Paternal hypertension
C. Single gestation
D. Exposure to toxic chemicals
E. Both A and D
Answer and topic summary
The answer is E. Both A and D
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of musculoskeletal disorders due to damage to the brain during development (up to 3 years old) or in utero. It is the most common motor disability in children and leads to permanent motor dysfunction. Risk factors include low birth weight and preterm birth (most important), infertility treatments, TORCH infections, maternal drug/alcohol abuse, neonatal seizures, and post-natal infections. There are different types of CP (spastic vs dyskinetic vs ataxic), but some clinical features you may see include: excessive irritability, developmental delays, increased muscle tone, persistent primitive reflexes, hand preference in those < 1-year-old, toe walking, muscle weakness/atrophy, etc. Workup may include cranial US during the early neonatal period or MRI in infants. There is no cure, sadly.
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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Neurology ⇒ ⇒
