Pak Achmad Agus, ini saya kutipkan dari BMA Family Health Encyclopedia, ttg. spastic child. Katanya sih dulu merupakan istilah utk. anak2 dgn. cerebral palsy. Semoga berguna, Salam, Rien. -- Cerebral palsy is a paralysis or abnormal movement of the muscles (primarily those of the limbs) caused by a brain abnormality. The affected part of the brain is unable to control certain muscles, making them stiff and difficult to use. The degree of the child's handicap varies. Either certain limbs are completely immobile or the child's movements are weak and poorly controlled. Simple movements such as reaching for a cup may be jerky and only accomplished after several fruitless attempts. Stiffness of muscles is called spasticity and children with cerebral palsy were often, in the past, called spastics. The term, however, became used in a derogatory fashion and should be dropped. (The Spastics Society changed its name to Scope in 1994.) In any case, not all children with cerebral palsy have spasticity. Some, with a different part of the brain affected, have repeated abnormal movements of the limbs, called athetosis or athetoid cerebral palsy. Many of these children have a degree of mental handicap, although some are highly intelligent. Spastic children may also have some degree of deafness, visual defects - most often a squint (see Squint in children) - and convulsions (see Convulsions in children). For most children, the exact cause of cerebral palsy cannot be determined. The disorder may result from faulty development or from brain damage occurring before, during or shortly after birth. Most cases arise long before the onset of labour (see Asphyxia). If there is clear evidence of birth asphyxia, the risk of subsequent children having cerebral palsy is low. Without such evidence, however, there may be a risk varying from 1 in 4 to about 1 in 10. Genetic counselling may be advisable. Later on, brain damage can be caused by a brain injury, meningitis (see Meningitis in babies and children) or, very rarely, severe convulsions. -cut- karena panjang banget. Copyright © 1997 Dorling Kindersley
