cerebral palsy and airway issues

scm · #1 09-02-2007, 07:32 PM

For those that have a CP diagnosis- does your child's cerebral palsy affect their airway in any way that you are aware of?

I wonder. Max recently got the diagnosis of hypotonic CP, and it is very mild, but I continue to hear various therapists comment on his low muscle tone in areas that I wouldn't have known were issues. For example during feeding therapy this week, she mentioned he had low tone in his mouth and therefore some difficulty with chewing etc. I am curious about the muscles I can't see in his airway, if there even are any muscles in there (I have no idea!)

Trying to make sense of his failed LTR and prevent further issues before attempting again. I am wondering if his muscle tone could be creating airway issues. He is due for further surgery this spring in an attempt to decann but don't want to go thru all that again if we are missing something...

Mom2TwinsPlus1 · #2 09-02-2007, 07:52 PM

Emma has severe CP (Spastic quad) and the only issue she has related to her airway is that she has no swallow or gag reflex. Thus, she doesn't have a clear airway due to her secretions building up and blocking her airway without a trach. Her trach is in good shape itself, her lungs are as well. She does have apnea which is brain related.

I do know a boy with CP who has low muscle town issues and they told his mom it effects his airway as well, he is trached for having a "floppy airway"

Nate's Mom · #3 09-02-2007, 07:53 PM

Nate has spastic CP. I don't know if it's his CP directly that affects his airway issues, but definitely his brain injury. He doesn't swallow or gag, thus the reason for the trach.

bradensmom · #4 09-02-2007, 09:13 PM

Braden has severe CP and yes he defiantely has airway and breathing issues totally related to his CP. His weak muscle tone causes him to shallow breath and buil up CO2. He aslo has a hard time clearing his own secretions. He does have a gag and swallow reflex, but they are definately not adequate. His respiratory issues have gotten a lot worse as the years have gone on.
Amy

Jordansmom · #5 09-03-2007, 04:32 AM

Jordan has Tracheomalacia, basically a floppy airway. What happens is his airway muscles collapse. I can't remember what these muscles are called but it is a direct result from his cp. Also, he does swallow but not enough to keep his airway clear. The tracheomalacia I knew nothing about until his ent scoped him and told me about his findings.

cariaad · #6 09-03-2007, 05:56 AM

Allison has CP as well, and I've been told by doctors and therapists that it's affected the muscles in her mouth and face, which is making it hard for her to have clear speech. She has lots of things she works on in speech therapy, like needing to learn to purse her lips (she can't, yet). And since she can't keep her small airway open when she sleeps, I can see it wouldn't be a far stretch to attribute it to CP. The good thing about CP though, is it doesn't get worse. Whatever level they have it is how it will be for life, and therapy (like speech) can help them overcome it. Deb

alizesmom · #7 09-03-2007, 08:13 AM

Alize has CP and I think it's responsible for his floppy tongue. His tracheomalacia is fairly new and probably related to being trached. He swallows enough to protect his airway. I'm really not sure what is related to CP as far as his difficulties eating. I think that may be more the MR. Karen

scm · #8 09-05-2007, 01:12 PM

I know that Max has some malacia from the trach. I'm wondering if the low tone affected the graft that was placed in his airway that is now prolapsing. He'll need to have another procedure in the spring but don't want to go thru it all again if he just isn't ready...