Celebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a group of disorders that affect muscle movement and coordination. In many cases, vision, hearing, and sensation are also affected. The word “cerebral” means having to do with the brain. The word “palsy” means weakness or problems with body movement. CP is the most common cause of motor disabilities in childhood, affecting approximately 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children.
Abnormal brain development or injury to the developing brain can cause CP. The damage affects the part of the brain that controls body movement, coordination, and posture. It may occur before birth, during birth, or shortly after birth. Most children are born with CP, but they may not show symptoms of a disorder until months or years later. Symptoms usually appear before a child reaches age 3 or 4.
Causes
CP is caused by an abnormality in brain development or by damage to the developing brain. The brain damage usually occurs before birth, but it can also happen during birth or the first years of life. In most cases, the exact cause of CP isn’t known. Some of the possible causes include:
a lack of oxygen to the brain during labor and delivery
severe jaundice in the infant
maternal infections, such German measles and herpes simplex
brain infections, such as encephalitis and meningitis
bleeding into the brain
head injuries as a result of a car accident, a fall, or child abuse
Symptoms
The symptoms of CP range from mild to severe. They also vary depending on the part of the brain that was affected. Some of the more common symptoms include:
delays in reaching motor skill milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up alone, or crawling
delays in speech development and difficulty speaking
stiff muscles
abnormal muscle tone
a lack of muscle coordination
tremors or involuntary movements
excessive drooling and problems with swallowing
difficulty walking
favoring one side of the body, such as reaching with one hand
neurological problems, such as seizures
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