No traditional medicine can cure cerebral palsy, doctors tell parents

Medical doctors have said that traditional medicine or herbal concoctions cannot cure cerebral palsy, warning parents against abandoning proper medical care in search of unproven treatments.

The child and rehabilitation specialists explained that cerebral palsy is a permanent neurological condition caused by damage to the developing brain, which affects children’s movement, posture, and muscle coordination.

They noted that while there is currently no cure, early diagnosis and appropriate interventions, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and medications, can significantly improve the quality of life of children living with the condition.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, cerebral palsy is a group of neurologic conditions that happens when the baby’s brain doesn’t develop as expected or gets injured before, during, or soon after birth.

“CP affects movement, posture, and coordination. It may cause permanent disabilities. While the brain injury doesn’t worsen over time, symptoms and physical challenges may change as your child grows,” it added.

In Nigeria, misconceptions about CP still influence how some affected children are treated. Instead of seeking medical care, some families turn to traditional medicine or unconventional methods in their bid to “cure” the condition.

In fact, some children with CP have been half-buried in the ground due to mistaken beliefs by parents or traditional medicine practitioners that such would help children living with the condition to stand or improve their posture.

However, in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise, senior medical doctors stressed that CP cannot be cured through traditional medicine, while urging families to reject harmful myths and seek evidence-based treatment early.

A Paediatric Neurologist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, Dr Umar Sabo, explained that CP occurs in about five children per 1,000 in Nigeria.

“Worldwide, it’s estimated to be about two per 1,000. But in Nigeria, we have about five per 1,000,” he said.

According to him, CP affects children younger than five years or younger than three years, and causes problems with posture or movement.

He explained that CP is caused by many things, including things that happen when the baby is still in the womb.

“For example, when there is a problem with brain formation, or when there is a problem with brain development, or when the child had a stroke, or when the child was unable to establish breathing immediately after birth, or when the child had a severe infection like meningitis, or a severe head injury, or when the child had severe neonatal jaundice that was not managed on time,” he said.

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The paediatric neurologist listed the disabilities caused by the condition to include difficulty or delayed achievement of multiple developmental milestones, including sitting, holding the head/neck, and walking.

“These milestones will be delayed. The child may not be able to walk independently until two, three, five years, or even later, depending on the severity. Generally, children achieve walking between one and one-and-a-half years,” he said.

The expert added, “And then, the associated problems, depending on how severe it is, may include problems with speech and swallowing. The child may have problems with hearing or vision, and there may also be associated epilepsy, difficulty in learning, or even what is called intellectual disability. So, depending on the actual cause of the problem and the extent of it, that will determine which combination of these conditions the child will have.”

On whether CP can be cured or managed by the use of traditional medicine or local concoctions, he said, “ No, it cannot be. Even orthodox medicine is not just about giving drugs.

“There is what is called physical therapy or physiotherapy. There is a treatment called speech therapy for difficulty with speech, swallowing, or hearing. There is also occupational therapy, which involves helping the child manage activities of daily living. So, you see, this goes beyond just taking or swallowing medicine.”

Sabo said while the condition can be managed, it can’t be reversed completely.

“Depending on the severity of the damage, with rehabilitation started early enough, you may be able to almost overcome it completely. And for some, because of the severity, it may be such that the child will live with severe disability.

“So, the extent depends on how much damage occurred and, afterwards, how much care the child receives. But depending on how severe the injury is, there is going to be moderate to severe disability,” the child health expert said.

He listed missed developmental milestones in children, like sitting, inability to achieve control of legs, speech, or swallowing problems, as some of the signs and symptoms of CP that parents should watch for.

Sabo said cultural myths associated with the condition depend on the part of Nigeria where people live.

“It may be associated with evil spirits, or people may believe it is because of something the parents did that they shouldn’t have done.

“Those kinds of beliefs influence the care the child receives because the same beliefs may prevent the parents from bringing the child to a healthcare facility where the child can receive the care that is needed. As a result, the child may become isolated,” he said.

Also, a Professor of Physiotherapy at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Rufus Adedoyin, clarified that traditional medicine can’t cure the condition.

When asked if traditional medicine can cure CP, he said, “I don’t think so. That’s just the belief of some people—that maybe it’s a spiritual attack—but it’s not a spiritual attack. Once the brain is damaged, it is not reversible. So, I don’t see any concoction that can cure it.”

The consultant physiotherapist urged parents to seek early care for children with CP, clarifying that the condition can only be managed, but can’t be cured.

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“Early presentation is key. If they come early, it’s going to help the patient. It cannot be cured. It can only be managed. You have to manage it so that, as the patient grows, the patient can become independent and not have to depend on somebody else to carry out activities of daily living,” the don said.

According to him, most of the challenges children with CP have are usually movement problems.

He said that if the condition is detected early and managed well, the patient can gain the motor ability to move around.

On the complications that can arise if the CP is not properly managed, the don said, “If it is not properly managed, there may be muscle stiffness and joint stiffness. The patient may not be able to use the muscles effectively. The patient may not be able to stand properly, and the condition can also affect the joints.

“Because the problem is a delay in growth, it is called delayed motor milestones. The stages at which the individual is supposed to sit, crawl, stand, and walk are delayed. Once they are delayed, some complications can follow.

“So, when the child is supposed to crawl, the hands may not be functioning properly because of muscle weakness, contractures, stiffness of the muscles, and stiffness of the joints. The weakness of the muscles can also worsen. As a result, they may not be able to crawl, stand, or walk.

“A lot of other problems can also occur. Some of them have visual impairment. Some have hearing impairment. Some have speech disorders, too. They may also not be able to feed very well because they have difficulty feeding.”

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