The common type of cerebral palsy seen in hospitals is –
## Core Concept
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent disorders that appear in early childhood, characterized by developmental delay, impaired muscle tone, posture, and movement. The classification of cerebral palsy includes spastic, athetoid (dyskinetic), ataxic, hypotonic, and mixed types.
## Why the Correct Answer is Right
The correct answer, spastic cerebral palsy, is the most common type, accounting for approximately 70-80% of all cerebral palsy cases. This type is characterized by increased muscle tone, leading to stiffness and difficulty in movement. The spastic type often results from prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal brain injuries that affect the motor control systems, particularly those involving the corticospinal tracts.
## Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect
* **Option A:** Athetoid (dyskinetic) cerebral palsy involves involuntary movements and is less common than the spastic type. It often results from basal ganglia damage.
* **Option B:** Ataxic cerebral palsy affects coordination and balance, and it is less common than the spastic type. It typically results from cerebellar damage.
* **Option D:** Hypotonic cerebral palsy is characterized by low muscle tone and is less frequently encountered compared to the spastic type.
## Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact
A key clinical pearl is that spastic cerebral palsy often presents with **hyperreflexia** and **clonus**, and it can be further classified into diplegia (affecting two limbs, commonly the legs), hemiplegia (affecting one side of the body), or quadriplegia (affecting all four limbs). Early intervention with physical therapy and other supportive measures can significantly improve outcomes.
## Correct Answer: . Spastic cerebral palsy