What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of motor problems and physical disorders that result from a brain injury or abnormal brain development and that may occur during fetal growth, at the time of birth, or in the first 2 or 3 years of a child's life. The brain injury that causes CP does not get worse over time, but symptoms may start, change, or become more severe as a child grows.

Cerebral palsy affects the muscles of a part or side of the body or sometimes the entire body. Uncontrolled reflex movements and muscle tightness (spasticity) occur with varying severity. Physical problems of cerebral palsy range from mild (a clumsy walk) to severe (an inability to control movement of the arms, legs, or muscles of the mouth and tongue). People with severe forms of cerebral palsy are more likely to have other problems, such as seizures or intellectual disability.

Sometimes the exact cause of cerebral palsy is known, such as when brain damage follows a serious infection or head injury. In many cases the exact cause of cerebral palsy is not known.

Cerebral palsy cannot be cured. But a comprehensive treatment program can help people with CP maximize their abilities and physical strength, prevent complications, and improve their quality of life. Treatment usually includes physical therapy and speech therapy. Medicines, surgery, special devices and equipment, and other individualized treatments also may be used.

The term cerebral palsy, or CP, refers to a neurological disorder that appears in infancy or early childhood (most commonly under 37 weeks of age) and permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination but does not worsen over time.

In CP, faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain impair the body's ability to control movement and posture. This results in a number of chronic neurological disorders. CP is usually associated with events that occur before or during birth, but may be acquired during the first few months or years of life as the result of head trauma or infection.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the early signs of CP usually appear before a child reaches three years of age. The most common are ataxia (a lack of muscle coordination when performing voluntary movements), spasticity (stiff or tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes), walking with one foot or leg dragging, walking on the toes, a crouched or scissored gait, and muscle tone that is either too stiff or too floppy. A small number of children have cerebral palsy as the result of brain damage in the first few months or years of life, brain infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis, or head injury from a motor vehicle accident, a fall, or child abuse.

There is no cure for CP, but treatment can improve the lives of those who have it. Treatment includes medicines, braces, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Cerebral palsy is neither contagious nor inherited, nor is it progressive. The symptoms of cerebral palsy (CP) differ from person to person and change as children and their nervous systems mature. Some have other medical conditions, including seizure disorders or mental impairment.

Some persons with severe CP are completely disabled and require lifelong care, while others display only slight awkwardness and need no special assistance. Complications associated with CP include learning disabilities, gastrointestinal dysfunction, tooth decay (dental caries), sensory deficits, and seizures.