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Glossary acquired cerebral palsy — cerebral palsy that occurs as a result of injury to the brain after birth or during early childhood. Apgar score — a numbered scoring system doctors use to assess a baby's physical state at the time of birth. asphyxia — a lack of oxygen due to trouble with breathing or poor oxygen supply in the air. ataxia— the loss of muscle control. athetoid — making slow, sinuous, involuntary, writhing movements, especially with the hands. bilirubin — a bile pigment produced by the liver of the human body as a byproduct of digestion. bisphosphonates — a family of drugs that strengthen bones and reduce the risk of bone fracture in elderly adults. botulinum toxin — a drug commonly used to relax spastic muscles; it blocks the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that energizes muscle tissue. cerebral — relating to the two hemispheres of the human brain. cerebral dysgenesis — defective brain development. choreoathetoid — a condition characterized by aimless muscle movements and involuntary motions. congenital cerebral palsy — cerebral palsy that is present at birth from causes that have occurred during fetal development. contracture — a condition in which muscles become fixed in a rigid, abnormal position, which causes distortion or deformity. developmental delay — behind schedule in reaching the milestones of early childhood development. dyskinetic — the impairment of the ability to perform voluntary movements, which results in awkward or incomplete movements. dystonia (dystonic) a condition of abnormal muscle tone. gait analysis — a technique that uses cameras, force plates, electromyography, and computer analysis to objectively measure an individual's pattern of walking. gestation — the period of fetal development from the time of conception until birth. hemiparesis — paralysis affecting only one side of the body. hypertonia — increased muscle tone. hypotonia — decreased muscle tone. hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy — brain damage caused by poor blood flow or insufficient oxygen supply to the brain. intracranial hemorrhage — bleeding in the brain. intrathecal baclofen — baclofen that is injected into the cerebrospinal fluid of the spinal cord to reduce spasticity. jaundice — a blood disorder caused by the abnormal buildup of bilirubin in the bloodstream. kyphosis — a humpback-like outward curvature of the upper spine. lordosis — an increased inward curvature of the lower spine. orthotic devices — special devices, such as splints or braces, used to treat posture problems involving the muscles, ligaments, or bones. osteopenia — reduced density and mass of the bones. palsy — paralysis, or the lack of control over voluntary movement. -paresis or -plegia — weakness or paralysis. In cerebral palsy, these terms are typically combined with other phrases that describe the distribution of paralysis and weakness; for example, quadriplegia means paralysis of all four limbs. periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) — ―peri" means near; "ventricular" refers to the ventricles or fluid spaces of the brain; and "leukomalacia" refers to softening of the white matter of the brain. PVL is a condition in which the cells that make up white matter die near the ventricles. Under a microscope, the tissue looks soft and sponge-like. placenta — an organ that joins a mother with her unborn baby and provides nourishment and sustenance. quadriplegia — paralysis of both the arms and legs. Rh incompatibility — a blood condition in which antibodies in a pregnant woman's blood attack fetal blood cells and impair an unborn baby’s supply of oxygen and nutrients. rubella — (also known as German measles) a viral infection that can damage the nervous system of an unborn baby if a mother contracts the disease during pregnancy. scoliosis — a disease of the spine in which the spinal column tilts or curves to one side of the body. selective dorsal rhizotomy — a surgical procedure in which selected nerves are severed to reduce spasticity in the legs. spastic (or spasticity) — describes stiff muscles and awkward movements. spastic diplegia (or diparesis) — a form of cerebral palsy in which spasticity affects both legs, but the arms are relatively or completely spared. spastic hemiplegia (or hemiparesis) — a form of cerebral palsy in which spasticity affects an arm and leg on one side of the body. spastic quadriplegia (or quadriparesis) — a form of cerebral palsy in which all four limbs are paralyzed or weakened equally. tremor — an involuntary trembling or quivering. |
