Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital: A trusted address for treating cerebral palsy in children

(Baonghean) - Currently, there are many programs talking about treating cerebral palsy such as: electrodiagnostics, acupuncture, stem cell transplantation, high pressure oxygen... However, science in the world only recognizes rehabilitation as the best and most effective method for all children with cerebral palsy. Therefore, many families have come to Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital to treat their children.

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral Palsy is the Vietnamese name for Cerebral Palsy (CP) that many experts and parents are familiar with, but in our opinion this name is pessimistic and confusing for parents, we should translate it literally as "brain damage". Cerebral palsy is not a disease, because cerebral palsy is a word that describes a series of brain injuries that affect the development of motor functions, language, and sensation of children...

Caring for patients with care. Photo: Thanh Thuy

The main symptoms of cerebral palsy include: movement disorders, language disorders, intellectual disorders, visual disorders, hearing disorders and mental disorders. It is necessary to understand the symptoms of cerebral palsy for early diagnosis and treatment, helping to improve the patient's recovery ability.

The causes of cerebral palsy are divided into 3 types: before birth, during pregnancy and after birth. The causes of the disease during pregnancy account for 60% - 65%, the causes before birth account for 30% - 40%, the causes after birth account for 12%. Understanding the causes of cerebral palsy, understanding the symptoms of cerebral palsy, and diagnosing promptly will increase the chance of recovery.

Currently, there is no accurate method to diagnose cerebral palsy. Doctors often have to observe for a long time to determine cerebral palsy (examining muscle tone, motor development, communication, etc.). In addition, diagnostic imaging tests such as brain ultrasound through the fontanelle, computed tomography (CT), especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide valuable information about brain damage.

Biochemical or genetic tests depend on the clinical diagnosis. Electroencephalography (EEG) is also an indispensable basic test in diagnosing cerebral palsy as well as other central nervous system diseases.

The incidence of cerebral palsy is approximately 1.2 - 2.5% (for every thousand live births). Over 90% of children with cerebral palsy will survive to adulthood, with only the most severely affected children unlikely to survive or having a very short life span.

How is cerebral palsy treated?

Currently, there are many programs talking about treating cerebral palsy such as: Electrodiagnostics, acupuncture, stem cell transplantation, high pressure oxygen... However, science in the world only recognizes rehabilitation as the best and most effective method for all children with cerebral palsy.

At Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital, cerebral palsy in children is currently being treated very effectively with many methods, with the help of many experts. The hospital's full rehabilitation program for children with cerebral palsy includes: rehabilitation of movement disorders such as reducing spasticity, athetosis or muscle tone disorders; training in self-control; treatment of hearing, vision and epilepsy disorders if any.

Functional training for children with cerebral palsy is characterized by the fact that the children do not yet know the movements that the technician is training them to do, so the technicians conduct the training very carefully, following the order of motor development of normal children.

Ms. Thai Thi Xuan - Director of Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital presented Mid-Autumn Festival gifts and rewards to children of hospital staff and children being treated. Photo: Thanh Thuy

In addition to exercise, it is necessary to pay more attention to the communication and spirit of children with cerebral palsy to help them develop social communication skills. For older children, it is necessary to learn to be independent in daily activities (such as personal hygiene). Avoid letting children depend completely on relatives, if they can do it themselves.

Baby NA (over 3 years old, Anh Son, Nghe An) has had cerebral palsy for over 2 years. The baby's father, Mr. Hai, said: When A. was only 2 months old, while sleeping, he suddenly woke up when he heard the sound of a car braking suddenly near the house.

After that, the baby continued to sleep, but when he woke up, A. was stiff and had abnormal symptoms and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. However, the treatment at the lower level took quite a long time and the progress was slow, so Mr. Hai asked for permission to transfer him to Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital. The family hopes that A will recover soon.

As for Mrs. Thuyen (50 years old, in Nghi Loc, Nghe An) gave birth at the age of 40. After giving birth until the 9th month, her baby KB usually lay still, did not call her parents, could not lift his head, but only tensed up. After six years of physical therapy, now KB's leg braces have been removed below the knee instead of up to the thigh like when she first started, KB can walk short distances without needing her mother to lead him, his limbs are also softer, less stiff than before.

MSc. Thai Thi Xuan - Director of Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital said: Rehabilitation exercises for children with cerebral palsy should start as early as possible because it will avoid muscle and joint contractures and help children develop early motor skills.

Rehabilitation exercises for children with cerebral palsy must be persistent and long-term, and cannot improve the child's condition overnight. In some cases, this exercise lasts almost a lifetime. At Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital, children are carefully instructed in each exercise method by technicians. Not only do doctors and technicians practice individually for children, they also practice in groups so that children can practice and play with friends, thereby integrating with their peers sooner.

Thanh Thuy