Cerebral Palsy
Topic Overview
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a group of problems that affects body movement and posture. It is related to a brain injury or to problems with brain growth. It is one of the most common causes of lasting disability in children. Cerebral palsy occurs in about 2 to 2.5 out of every 1,000 people.1
Cerebral palsy causes reflex movements that a person can't control and muscle tightness that may affect parts or all of the body. These problems can range from mild to severe. Mental retardation, seizures, and vision and hearing problems can occur.
Learning that your child has cerebral palsy is not easy, and raising a child who has it can be very hard. But the more you know, the better you can care for and provide for your child.
What causes cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is caused by a brain injury or problem that occurs during pregnancy, birth, or within the first 2 to 3 years of a child’s life. Cerebral palsy can be caused by:
- Problems from being born too early (premature birth).
- Not getting enough blood, oxygen, or other nutrients before or during birth.
- A serious head injury.
- A serious infection that can affect the brain, such as meningitis.
- Some problems passed from parent to child (genetic conditions) that affect brain development.
In many cases, the exact cause of cerebral palsy is not known.
What are the symptoms?
Everyone with cerebral palsy has problems with body movement and posture. But the physical problems are worse for some people than for others. Some people with cerebral palsy have only a slight limp or a hard time walking. Other people have little or no control over their arms and legs or other parts of the body, such as the mouth and tongue, which can cause problems with eating and speaking. People with severe forms of cerebral palsy are more likely to have other problems, such as seizures or mental retardation.
Babies with severe cerebral palsy often have problems with their posture. Their bodies may be either very floppy or very stiff. Birth defects, such as a spine that doesn't have the normal shape, a small jawbone, or a small head, sometimes occur along with cerebral palsy.
The brain injury or problem that causes cerebral palsy does not get worse over time. But new symptoms may appear, or symptoms may change or get worse as your child gets older. This is why some babies born with cerebral palsy do not show clear signs of it right away.
How is cerebral palsy diagnosed?
Most of the time, doctors will diagnose cerebral palsy based on a child's medical history. Your doctor will ask about your child’s growth and about any problems you may have noticed. You may be asked to answer questions about your child’s development. The doctor may also do a physical exam.
Tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI of your child’s head, may also be done. Or the doctor may look at ultrasound pictures of the brain. These tests can help the doctor find out the cause of cerebral palsy.
It can take several months to several years to find out if a child has cerebral palsy. If your child has a severe form of cerebral palsy, a doctor may be able to pinpoint the problem within the first few weeks of your child’s life. But parents are often the first to notice that their baby does not have the abilities and skills that are common in other children in the same age group. These developmental delays can be early signs of cerebral palsy.
How is it treated?
Cerebral palsy can't be cured, so your child will probably need lifelong treatment. But treatments can help deal with symptoms, prevent problems, and make the most of your child’s abilities. Physical therapy is one of the most important treatments. Medicines, surgery, and special equipment such as a walker can also help.
What can you do to cope?
Meeting the daily needs of a family member with cerebral palsy can be very hard. If your child has cerebral palsy, seek family and community support. It may help to join a support group or to talk with other parents who have a child with special needs so you don't feel alone. You may also find counseling useful. It may help you understand and deal with the wide range of emotions that you may feel when your child has cerebral palsy. Your child will need help too. Providing emotional support for your child can help him or her deal with having cerebral palsy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about cerebral palsy:
Being diagnosed:
Getting treatment:
Living with cerebral palsy:
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| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: October 14, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics | |
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