About Cerebral Palsy

The term “cerebral palsy” describes chronic conditions affecting body movement and muscle coordination. “Cerebral” refers to the brain and “palsy” to muscle weakness or poor control.

What are the forms of cerebral palsy?

What parts of the body are affected by cerebral palsy?

Spastic Cerebral Palsy affects different parts of the body.

• Quadriplegia: Both legs and both arms paralyzed or weakened equally
• Diplegia/Bilateral: Both legs affected (and possibly arms to a lesser extent)
• Hemiplegia/Unilateral: One side (arm and leg) affected
• Double Hemiplegia: Both arms affected more than the legs (uncommon)

Can there be other conditions that exist with cerebral palsy?

People with cerebral palsy live with different levels of difficulty and there is no set of concerns that describes everyone. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control,

All people with CP have problems with movement and posture. Many also have related conditions such as the following:

• Intellectual disability
• Seizures
• Problems with vision, hearing, or speech
• Changes in the spine (such as scoliosis)
• Joint problems (such as contractures)

Other concerns may include:

• Feeding
• Self-help
• Breathing

It is important to note that your child may have many or none of these coexisting concerns. It is extremely important to see specialists as early as possible.

What causes cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain. The damage can be due to genetic or developmental disorders, injury, or disease and may occur during fetal development; before, during or shortly following birth; or during infancy. Most cases of cerebral palsy are NOT anyone’s fault. However, there are some things that can be done to prevent cerebral palsy.

Some examples of what can cause cerebral palsy include:

• Not enough oxygen reaching the brain of a fetus or newborn
• Head injury, usually the result of motor vehicle accidents, falls, or child abuse
• Drug addiction
• Brain infection
• Other risk factors including premature birth, low birth weight, blood type incompatibility between mother and infant, infection of the mother in early pregnancy, and micro-organisms that attack the infant’s central nervous system

Most causes of cerebral palsy are related to the developmental and childbearing processes and, since the condition is not inherited, the condition is called congenital cerebral palsy.

What can we do to help our child?

Early diagnosis and intervention can make a difference in how your child experiences his or her effects of cerebral palsy. Our Early Intervention page details the kinds of services we offer and how they might help. There is also a “Resources” page that list services and community opportunities for people with cerebral palsy of all ages. We are also conducting a research project to assess the impact of aging with cerebral palsy.

Can cerebral palsy be prevented?

Measures of prevention are increasingly possible today. It is very important for women to take care of themselves before becoming pregnant, receive medical care during pregnancy through childbirth, and protect infants from accidents or injury.

Preventive measures for pregnant women include:

• Routine testing and immunization of Rh factors
• Reduced exposure to viruses and other bacterial infections
• Immunization against measles
• Avoiding unnecessary exposure to X-rays, drugs, and medications
• Controlling diabetes, anemia, and nutritional deficiencies
• Preventing premature births

Can a child with cerebral palsy live a normal life?

Cerebral palsy affects each person in different ways. It is true that some people with cerebral palsy need to be cared for their entire lives through family and caregiver support. However, many adults can live full, independent lives or live mostly independently, only requiring help for specific needs.

There are people with cerebral palsy who:

• • Attend and graduate from high school
  • Attend and graduate from college
  • Have successful careers
  • Have their own families
  • Play and excel at sports, including completing marathons