Cerebral Palsy: A Case Study of a Young Adult with Motor, Speech and Functional Impairment

Author

Sneh Lata


Abstract

 Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent neurological disorders resulting from injury or abnormal development of the developing brain. It primarily affects movement, posture, muscle tone and coordination and may be associated with speech, feeding, sensory and functional difficulties.

Case presentation: A 20-year-old male diagnosed with cerebral palsy was admitted to the emergency ward of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla. The patient presented with shortness of breath, chest pain and fatigue for two days, cough for one month, stiffness of both lower limbs, speech difficulty and delayed developmental milestones. His past history revealed premature birth at 32 weeks, low birth weight and neonatal jaundice. On examination, he was conscious and oriented, with a weight of 50 kg and height of 5 feet 1 inch. Laboratory investigations showed a mildly decreased arterial pH and oxygen tension. The patient received prescribed pharmacological treatment and supportive nursing care. Nursing interventions focused on maintaining breathing, reducing pain, improving mobility, supporting communication, preventing physical complications and providing health education.

Conclusion: Cerebral palsy is a lifelong neurological condition requiring comprehensive and multidisciplinary management. In this case, individualized nursing interventions, mobility support, medication administration, communication support and patient-family education contributed to improvement in mobility, symptom management and knowledge. Continuous rehabilitation and family involvement are important for promoting independence and quality of life.


Keywords

Cerebral palsy, motor impairment, spasticity, physical mobility, speech difficulty, rehabilitation, nursing care.



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References


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