Medical Help & Hospitals for Victims of Cerebral Palsy.

Although cerebral palsy can be a heartbreaking diagnosis, it does not need to be a devastating one - there is great hope for present victims and future ones as well. While presenting physical limitations and hurdles, the condition is not fatal and rarely deteriorates over a victim's lifetime. New medical breakthroughs in treatment and research, state-of-the-art birthing facilities and technologies, and advanced prenatal screenings all provide hope for victims and their families. In fact, many cerebral palsy patients can enjoy near-normal lives if their neurological problems are properly managed and their daily needs are met

Drug Therapy for Cerebral Palsy.

One of the newest treatmentsin drug therapy for combating the physical consequences of cerebral palsy is the use of Botox (the drug botulinum toxin) to loosen the muscles and ease spasticity. The effects of a Botox injection can last up to several months, allowing for more efficient and effective physical therapy during this period, as well as alleviating tight muscles. Botox therapy is especially useful in helping children younger than the age 5 and doctors and therapists alike are hopeful about the potential for the treatments to provide even more relief in the future.

Gene Therapy for Cerebral Palsy.

One therapy with potential is that of gene therapy, an experimental treatment dealing with insertion of specific genes into the cells and tissues to treat diseases, particularly those with hereditary causes. While cerebral palsy is not a specific target of gene therapy research at this time, the discoveries gained from gene therapy research in general could potentially have profound implications for treating conditions like it. Although only around 2% of cerebral palsy cases are believed to originate from genetic causes and though researchers have not yet found which gene is associated with the disease, the results from these trials may have an impact on the treatment or prevention of cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy Hospitals

There are many world-renowned specialists and medical facilities that deal with the treatment of cerebral palsy and other birth injuries in the United States today.

List of Hospitals in the U.S.A.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minnesota

Cerebral Palsy Program at Children's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts.

Child Development Center at Children's Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

University of Iowa Health Care - Center for Disabilities & Development.

Cincinnati Ohio Children's Hospital Medical Center Developmental Disabilities.

Children's Hospital - The Center for Cerebral Palsy Spasticity St. Louis, Ohio.

For a complete list of providers or affiliates in your area, visit the UCP-Net website (http://www.ucp.org/) and simply enter your state or zip code.