Cerebral Palsy

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Topic Overview

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of motor problems and physical disorders related to a brain injury or to problems with brain growth. CP causes uncontrolled reflex movements and muscle tightness (spasticity) that may affect a part, a side, or the entire body, with varying severity. Several conditions, such as mental retardation, seizures, or vision and hearing problems, are often also associated with cerebral palsy.

What causes cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is caused by a brain injury or problem that occurs during fetal growth, birth, or within the first 2 to 3 years of life. CP can result from:

• Complications related to prematurity.
• Being deprived of blood, oxygen, or other nutrients before or during birth.
• A serious head injury.
• Developing a serious infection that can affect the brain, such as meningitis.
• Some conditions that are passed from parent to child (genetic conditions) that are linked to abnormal brain development.

In many cases, the exact cause of cerebral palsy is not known.

What are the symptoms?

Everyone with cerebral palsy (CP) has problems with body movement and posture, although the degree of physical disability varies. Some people with CP have only a slight limp or an uncoordinated walk. Others have little or no control over their arms and legs or other parts of their body, such as their mouths and tongues. People with severe forms of cerebral palsy are more likely to have other problems, such as seizures or mental retardation.

Babies born with severe CP often have an irregular posture. Their bodies may be either very floppy or very stiff. Birth defects, such as an irregularly shaped spine, small jawbone, or small head, sometimes occur along with cerebral palsy.

Although CP does not get worse over time, symptoms may appear, change, or become more severe as a child gets older. This is why some babies born with CP do not show obvious signs right away.

How is cerebral palsy diagnosed?

Cerebral palsy (CP) usually takes several months to several years to diagnose. However, most children with CP are diagnosed by about 18 months of age. If a child is born with a severe form of CP, a health professional may be able to diagnose the condition within the first few weeks of life. However, parents and caregivers usually are the first to notice that a baby has developmental delays that may be early signs of CP.

Usually a health professional diagnoses cerebral palsy based on a baby's medical history (including parents' observations of developmental delays), physical examination, and results of screening tests.

Additional tests, such as developmental questionnaires, computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head, or an ultrasound of the brain may be done. These tests can help a health professional determine the cause of CP.

How is it treated?

There is no cure for cerebral palsy. Treatment is often needed throughout life to help manage symptoms, prevent complications, and maximize abilities. Although CP does not get worse over time, new challenges can develop as the child grows and develops. Medications, surgery, special equipment and devices, physical therapy, and individualized training may all be used.

Meeting the daily needs of a family member with CP can be very demanding. If you are a parent of a child with CP, seek family and community support. You may find local or national support groups helpful. Talking with other parents with similar experiences can help prevent a sense of isolation that commonly occurs when you have a child with special needs. You may also find counseling useful for helping you understand and manage the wide range of emotions that can occur when a child has CP.

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Last updated:	November 20, 2006
Author:	Ralph Poore
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman