From congenial paralysis to post-early brain injury developmental condition: Where does cerebral palsy actually stand?

Publication date: Available online 14 August 2019Source: Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation MedicineAuthor(s): Stéphane Chabrier, Margaux Pouyfaucon, Alain Chatelin, Yannick Bleyenheuft, Joel Fluss, Vincent Gautheron, Christopher J Newman, Guillaume Sébire, Patrick Van Bogaert, Carole Vuillerot, Sylvain Brochard, Mickael DinomaisAbstractCerebral palsy (CP), an umbrella term for a developmental motor disorder caused by early brain injury (EBI)/interference, remains debated. In this essay, we present a narrative, beginning with the original anatomical-clinical description of the so-called paralysie congéniale (congenial paralysis) by the French psychiatrist Jean-Baptiste Cazauvieilh. We then discuss how the concept has evolved over the last 2 centuries. We aim to illustrate these ideas with the biopsychosocial model of health, especially in light of the current neuroscientific and sociological knowledge of human development. We endeavour to integrate 3 connected but distinct entities: 1) the EBI as a seminal turning point of the individual’s story, 2) the clinical findings we call CP, when motor impairment and activity limitation related to post-EBI (or other early non-progressive brain interference) appears, and 3) a post-EBI developmental condition that encompasses the overall consequences of an EBI. This framework should guide individual, familial and collective care discussions and research strategies beyond the scope of CP.
Source: Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine - Category: Rehabilitation Source Type: research