Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 16 March 2020: Cerebral palsy is a disorder that causes problems with movement and balance. It is a condition that babies are born with or that develops very early in life, though some children with cerebral palsy may not have noticeable symptoms until they are toddlers. Babies with cerebral palsy are often slow to roll over, sit, crawl, or walk.
Dr. Hussein Nasser Matlik, Consultant - Pediatric Neurology and Head of Department at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi : “These conditions are due to abnormalities of the developing fetal or infantile brain resulting from a variety of causes”.
The motor impairment generally results in limitations in functional abilities and activity, which can range in severity.
Multiple additional symptoms often accompany the primary motor abnormalities, including altered sensation or perception, intellectual disability, communication and behavioral difficulties, seizure disorders, and musculoskeletal complications.
Warning signs:
1- History of prematurity, in babies delivered less than 28 weeks the risk of CP is up to 60.9.
2- Low birth weight, less than 1500 gram the risk of CP is up to 44.5.
3- Any maternal infection during pregnancy, the risk of CP is up to 2.9.
4- Heavy maternal alcohol consumption, the risk is up to 3.3.
5- Maternal smoking, the risk is up to 1.8.
6- Neonatal infection, the risk is up to 14.7.
7- Neonatal seizures, the risk is up to 7.4.
Close monitoring is crucial for these at-risk infants, and referral to an early intervention program and/or developmental specialist is often warranted. And trying to avoid the above risk factors like prematurity or smoking or alcohol consumption.
Parents Role:
Children with mild forms of cerebral palsy often live as long as people who don't have the disorder. Children with more serious forms of the disease might not live as long. Special equipment and teaching can help your child move and learn as much as he or she can.
Should have his education as other children as his condition permit.
Pain in the head anywhere above orbit meatal lines can occur in any part of the head, on both sides of the head, or in just one location.
It is relatively common among children approximately 20 percent of children aged 4 to 18 years have had frequent or severe headaches in the past 12 months
Headaches are common in children, occurring in up to 75 percent of school-aged children. it is greater in adolescents than in younger children. There are many possible causes of headaches, from common and non-harmful to more serious but rare conditions.
Two of the most common types of headaches in children are:
●Tension-type headaches – Tension-type headaches cause pressure or tightness on both the left and right sides of the head. Tension headaches are usually not severe enough to keep children from doing their daily activities, such as going to school.
●Migraines – Migraines often start off mild and then get worse. They might affect just 1 side of the head or both. They can cause your child to feel sick or vomit, children also tend to get headaches that go along with a cold, the flu, a sore throat, or a sinus infection
In rare cases headaches in children are caused by a serious infection (such as meningitis), severe high blood pressure, or brain tumors.
You should take your child to the doctor right away (without giving any medicine) if he or she has a headache that:
●Starts after a head injury
●Wakes him or her up
●Is sudden and severe and happens with other symptoms, such as:
•Vomiting
•Neck pain or stiffness
•Double vision or changes in vision
•Confusion
•Loss of balance
•Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
Parents’ role
●Have your child rest in a quiet dark room with a cool cloth on his or her forehead
●Encourage your child to sleep, if he or she wants to. Sleep can help, especially with migraines.
●Give your child pain medicine, such paracetamol or children's ibuprofen (sample brand name
Never give your child aspirin. In children,
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that manifests in childhood with symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention. The symptoms affect cognitive, academic, behavioral, emotional, and social functioning.
ADHD is a condition that can make it hard to sit still, pay attention, or make good decisions. ADHD often begins in childhood. ADHD can cause a child to have trouble in school, at home, or with friends. ADHD is more common in boys than girls).
There is no test. If you suspect your child has ADHD, talk to your child's doctor or nurse. He or she will ask about your child's symptoms and behavior at home and at school. To find out about your child's behavior at school, you will need to ask his or her teacher.
A doctor can make a diagnosis of ADHD only if a child's symptoms:
●Are seen in more than 1 place, for example, at home and in school
●Last at least 6 months
●Start before age 12
●Affect his or her friendships or school work
