Cerebral Palsy

Overview

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is “a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation, that are attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occurred in the developing fetal or infant brain.” “Cerebral” means relating to the brain. “Palsy” means the loss of function, especially when it involves movement or sensation in a part of the body. CP is a permanent disability caused by damage to the brain before, during, or after birth. It affects a person’s ability to move, be able to control muscles, and maintain balance and posture.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this disorder is the most common motor disability in childhood, affecting 1 in 345 children in the United States. Many people with CP may also experience the following conditions, including:

Intellectual disability
Seizures
Spine deformities
Impaired vision
Hearing loss
Speech and language disorders
Joint problems
Learning difficulties
Sensory processing issues

Causes

Cerebral Palsy is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to parts of the brain that control a person’s movement. This can occur during pregnancy, at delivery, or after birth. The majority of children have Congenital CP, meaning they were born with it. Although the type of the disorder occurs before or during birth, it may not be detected until later. Acquired CP, when there is abnormal brain development or damage to the brain after birth, makes up a small percentage of those who have Cerebral Palsy. This type is usually caused by brain infections or head injuries.

Learn more about the causes of CP

Risk Factors

Some medical conditions or complications during pregnancy or delivery may increase a child’s risk of having CP. However, it is important to remember that the presence of a risk factor does not mean the child will actually have the condition.

Low birthweight
Premature birth
Multiple births
Infection during pregnancy
Delivery complications
Mother’s medical conditions
Jaundice
Exposure to toxins

Learn more about the risk factors

Types

The specific types of CP are determined by the extent, type, and location of a child’s movement disorder. There are four primary forms:

Spastic CP

Spastic CP is the most common form of Cerebral Palsy, affecting about 80% of people with this disorder. People with Spastic CP have stiff muscles resulting in awkward movements. There are three subtypes based on what parts of the body are affected:

Spastic diplegia/diparesis – Muscle stiffness predominantly affecting the legs and can affect the arms and face.
Spastic hemiplegia/hemiparesis – This type of CP typically affects the arm and hand on one side of the body.
Spastic quadriplegia/quadriparesis is the most severe type of CP as it affects all four limbs, the truck, and the face. It is caused by severe brain malformations or widespread damage to the brain. People with spastic quadriplegia are usually unable to walk and have moderate-to-severe intellectual disabilities.

Dyskinetic CP

People with Dyskinetic CP usually have uncontrollable writhing or jerky movements of their hands, feet, arms, or legs. They find it difficult to sit or walk. If the face and tongue are affected, people may have trouble sucking, swallowing, or talking.

Ataxic CP

Ataxic CP is characterized by poor balance and coordination. People with this form often have difficulty walking steady, controlling voluntary movements, or doing tasks with quick and precise movements.

Mixed CP

People with Mixed CP display symptoms of more than one type of Cerebral Palsy.

Learn more about different types of CP

Diagnosis

The correct diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy at an early age is vital for the quality of life of children and their families. However, there also might be a greater chance of confusing CP with other childhood disorders. Diagnosing CP involves several steps:

Developmental Monitoring

During regular visits, the doctor will monitor the child’s development, muscle tone, age-appropriate movements, posture, coordination, etc. A developmental screening test should be ordered when concerns are raised about the child’s normal development and growth during monitoring,

Developmental Screening

Parental interviews or screening tests are given during the screening process to determine if the child has specific developmental delays. The doctor will refer the child for further evaluations if the results of the screening cause concern.

Developmental and Medical Evaluations

These evaluations are performed to decide the specific disorder that affects a child and identify other developmental conditions often associated with CP. Once a child is diagnosed, doctors may suggest brain imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or electroencephalogram (EEG) to establish the cause of CP.

Find out more about CP screening and diagnosis

Treatments

CP cannot be cured, but early diagnosis and treatment can improve the well-being of a person with the disorder. Since this can affect every individual differently, there is no standard therapy or treatment. The healthcare professionals will work with the child and parents to develop the treatment plan based on the individual diagnosis.

Find out more about CP Treatments

Prognosis

Cerebral Palsy is not universal. It can cause disabilities from mild to severe. Therefore, the prognosis of CP is different for each individual with it. Many people with CP lead an independent and productive adult life. Early and correct diagnosis coupled with proper intervention are key to improving the individual’s quality of life. Finding and accessing existing programs that provide assistance, resources, and education is essential.