‘Cerebral palsy cases can be reduced with medical support’

LUCKNOW: Cases of cerebral palsy can be brought down with adequate medical support, said Dr Dhiren Ganjwala, an orthopaedic surgeon from Ahemdabad, addressing the first annual conference of the Paediatric Orthopaedic Society of Uttar Pradesh (POSUP)at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), on Sunday. “Cerebral palsy number 1 to 2 in every 1000 births in India, while in the US it is 1 per 1000 births. Particularly, the cases where cerebral palsy happens due to poor oxygen supply to the brain immediately after the delivery, can be reduced if medical centres are equipped with devices,” said Dr Ganjwala. An infection of the brain, such as meningitis, can also cause the disease, he added.

Prof Ajai Singh, director of the Post Graduate Institute of Child Health (PICH), Noida, spoke on the corrective surgery for such children, who also respond to medical treatment. POSUP president Prof Singh said, “As children respond to the medicine they can also be provided with surgical support.”

“Cerebral palsy due to lack of oxygen at the time of birth can be reduced if institutional delivery is ensured for 100% of children. Also, since such cases happen more among pre-mature deliveries hence such deliveries are to be given more attention regarding the first cry of the newborn,” said Dr Ganjwala. He said, “First cry immediately after birth indicates breathing has started and if it does not cry the first four to five minutes are crucial to stop brain damage due to poor oxygen supply to the brain.”

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance.