Childhood physical therapy can help improve the conditions of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy, which is a group of permanent disorders affecting the development of movement and posture, is becoming less and less common because of the work done by neonatologists, according to Dr. Arie S. Friedman, MD, a top rated general pediatrician in Chicago who was selected as a Chicago Top Doctor by TopTierMD.

There are many causes for cerebral palsy, including asphyxia before birth, hypoxia of the brain and birth trauma during childhood, though in some cases there is no identifiable cause. It is more common in multiple births.

"Children with cerebral palsy are unique people with unique medical needs," Dr. Friedman said. "There are not that many of them anymore because we're doing such a good job with neonatology. We're seeing fewer children with these poor outcomes."

Studies show that the incidence of cerebral palsy in the industrialized world is about two per 1,000 live births, with the incidence higher in males than in females. Approximately 10,000 infants and babies per year in the United States are diagnosed with cerebral palsy with approximately 1,200 to 1,500 diagnosed at preschool age.

There is no cure for cerebral palsy, which is not a progressive disorder, meaning that brain damage will neither improve nor worsen. Symptoms of cerebral palsy, such as abnormal muscle tone, reflexes or motor development and coordination, joint and bone contractures, and spasms or other involuntary movements, may improve during childhood if extensive care is received from a specialist.

"We've gotten very good at occupational and physical therapy," Dr. Friedman said. "Botox can be used for muscle groups that need to be made less spastic. Our job, by and large, is to take care of the child and make sure that they're growing properly and that their needs are being taken care of as if they were normal kids."

Dr. Arie Friedman, MD was selected in 2010 by TopTierMD as a Chicago Top Doctor. He was named a Best Pediatrician and specializes in Cerebral Palsy, Asthma and Autism.