Understanding physiological abnormalities that lead to difficulties in swallowing and voluntary cough in children with spastic cerebral palsy may help doctors to better manage dysphagia — problems with swallowing — in this patient population, a study finds. The study, “Voluntary Cough and Clinical Swallow Function in Children with Spastic Cerebral…
A blood test that identifies changes in specific molecules through a tiny amount of blood collected days to weeks after birth could be used to predict the risk of cerebral palsy in premature babies, a study suggests. The study, “MicroRNA Profile Differences in Neonates at Risk…
Better obstetric and neonatal care over the last 20 years in Norway was linked to a drop in the prevalence of cerebral palsy and the severity of its subtypes in a recent study. The study,”Decreasing prevalence and severity of cerebral palsy in Norway among children born 1999 to 2010…
Young adults with cerebral palsy have a greater risk of developing certain chronic conditions, especially those with a more severe motor impairment, according to researchers. Factors experienced throughout the lifespan of cerebral palsy patients, such as excessive sedentary behaviors and malnutrition, increase the risk of developing chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs,…
A new computer-based method developed to identify gait patterns in children with cerebral palsy can help clinicians use gait for diagnosis and to assess treatment outcomes, according to researchers. The varied gait features in kids with cerebral palsy pose challenges related to disease management, therapy, evaluation of treatment outcomes, and…
Using a range of measures to assess cerebral palsy patients’ twitching, then adjusting the treatment to the patient, is better than giving each a commonly used standard or high dose, a study reports. Twitching, or spasticity, is a common feature of many neurological diseases. It causes movement problems, saps a…
Dysport Therapeutic has been approved by Health Canada for the treatment of spasticity affecting the lower limbs in adults, which could be of enormous benefit for patients with conditions such as cerebral palsy. The approval was announced in a press release by Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Canada Inc. Spasticity is…
PathMaker Neurosystems‘ MyoAmplifier device, which provides electrical and magnetic stimulation to improve muscle function and mobility in people with paralysis and muscle weakness, has received a funding award from the New England Pediatric Device Consortium (NEPDC). The award from the nonprofit foundation will support the development of the…
A study shows that severe acidosis at birth is associated with adverse neonatal and two-year outcomes. It is known that acidosis, a condition characterized by low pH levels (caused by high levels of acid) in body fluids, at birth is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. But its…