Impaired movement on one side of the body, be it arm, leg or face; understanding its underlying factors and characteristics.
In the realm of neurological conditions, hemiplegia stands out as a significant concern, characterized by paralysis on one side of the body. This condition can have various causes, and it's essential to understand the differences between adults and children in terms of common causes.
For adults, stroke is a leading cause of hemiplegia. Both ischemic (approximately 85%) and hemorrhagic strokes (15%) play a significant role, with hypertension, aneurysm rupture, arteriovenous malformations, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (especially in older adults) being common culprits [1][3]. Other causes include head injuries, tumors, demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis, and rare cases of hemiplegic migraine [3].
On the other hand, in children, hemiplegia primarily arises from damage to the developing brain, often termed pediatric hemiplegic cerebral palsy when congenital in nature. This may be caused by perinatal stroke, congenital brain malformations, infections, and genetic factors affecting brain development [2]. Cerebral palsy related to hemiplegia can be either congenital (mainly before or during birth) or acquired (damage occurring after birth such as infections like meningitis or traumatic brain injury) [4].
Below is a summary of common causes of hemiplegia in adults and children:
| Population | Common Causes of Hemiplegia | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | Adults | Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke (hypertension, aneurysm, AVM), head trauma, tumors, demyelinating diseases, hemiplegic migraine | | Children | Perinatal stroke, cerebral palsy due to brain developmental abnormalities, infections (e.g., meningitis), head trauma, genetic factors |
In addition to these common causes, certain infections, such as meningitis, can cause brain damage and lead to hemiplegia. Genetics can also play a role, with Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC) being a rare disorder caused by mutations in the ATP1A3 or ATP1A2 gene.
It's worth noting that hemiplegia can manifest in various ways, such as crossed hemiplegia, which affects one side of the face and the opposite arms or legs.
For those affected by hemiplegia, a supportive network, including friends and family, can help reduce the risk of mental health issues. Financial support may also be necessary, with individuals potentially qualifying for financial disability support if they can no longer work.
Various treatments are available to help manage hemiplegia, including physical therapy to improve muscle strength, balance, coordination, and other movement concerns, as well as modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) to improve nerve function. Assistive devices, such as walkers, braces, or canes, can also help improve strength and movement.
In diagnosing the underlying condition causing hemiplegia, doctors may use a combination of blood tests, brain imaging scans, and blood vessel scans.
In conclusion, while stroke-related vascular insults dominate in adults, brain developmental injury and congenital causes predominate in children [1][2][3][4][5]. Understanding these differences is crucial for early diagnosis and effective treatment of hemiplegia.
- Science has revealed that stroke is a major cause of brain injury leading to hemiplegia in adults, with both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes playing significant roles, often due to conditions like hypertension, aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
- On the other hand, medical-conditions such as perinatal stroke, pediatric hemiplegic cerebral palsy, infections, head trauma, and genetic factors can lead to hemiplegia in children, primarily due to damage to their developing brain.
- Neurological-disorders like Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood can also cause hemiplegia. This rare disorder is caused by mutations in the ATP1A3 or ATP1A2 gene, resulting in various ways for hemiplegia to manifest, such as crossed hemiplegia, which affects one side of the face and the opposite arms or legs.
