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 these patients include ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and asthma. Two others are 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 for several reasons. This includes 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 is attributed to the fact that cerebral palsy is a movement disorder that causes a sedentary lifestyle. This type of lifestyle leads to the development of obesity and hypertension. These are two of the most significant risk factors for developing heart disease, which is amplified if the affected individual also happens to smoke.