Serious Complications Of Cerebral Palsy

Heart And Lung Disease

An individual who has cerebral palsy is more likely to develop heart and lung disease alongside their disorder. The most common forms of heart and lung disease seen in cerebral palsy patients include ischemic heart disease, heart failure, asthma, stroke, and hypertensive heart disease. Patients who experience oral motor dysfunction because of their cerebral palsy are at an increased risk of developing lung disease due to bronchiolitis, aspiration, pneumonia, and respiratory distress syndrome. Cerebral palsy can cause an affected individual to have a spinal or chest wall deformity that can lead to limited lung function. The increased risk of developing heart disease due to cerebral palsy is attributed to the fact cerebral palsy is a movement disorder that causes a sedentary lifestyle, which leads to the development of obesity and hypertension. Obesity and hypertension are two of the most significant risk factors for developing heart disease, which is amplified if the affected individual also happens to smoke.