Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurologic disorders that cause problems with movement, balance and posture. Cerebral refers to the brain; palsy means weakness or trouble using the muscles.
CP ranges from mild to severe. The brain damage and resulting disabilities are permanent, but treatment can improve people's lives — for example, their motor skills and ability to communicate.
Types
| Type | What it causes |
|---|---|
| Spastic (most common) | Increased muscle tone, stiff muscles and awkward movements — sometimes in one part of the body, sometimes in both arms and legs, the trunk and the face |
| Dyskinetic | Trouble controlling movement of the hands, arms, feet and legs, making sitting and walking hard |
| Ataxic | Problems with balance and coordination |
| Mixed | Symptoms of more than one type |
Causes
CP comes from abnormal development of, or damage to, the developing brain.
Congenital CP — before birth — is most CP. Causes may include:
- gene changes (variants);
- brain malformations;
- infections or fevers in the pregnant parent;
- injury to the developing baby.
Acquired CP starts more than 28 days after birth. Causes can include:
- brain damage in the first months or years of life;
- infections such as meningitis or encephalitis;
- problems with blood flow to the brain, such as a stroke or abnormal blood vessels;
- head injuries — from a car crash, a fall or child abuse.
Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Risk factors for congenital CP
- being born too small or too early
- being a twin or other multiple
- conception by IVF or other assisted reproductive technology
- infections
- health problems in the pregnant parent, such as thyroid problems or seizures
- severe newborn jaundice
- complications during birth
- Rh incompatibility
- exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy
Signs
Signs vary with the type and severity, and usually appear in the first months of life:
- developmental delays — slow to roll over, sit, crawl or walk;
- abnormal muscle tone — floppy, or stiff and rigid;
- an unusual posture, or favoring one side when reaching, crawling or moving;
- stiff, tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity);
- tremor of the arms, legs, hands or feet;
- sudden, uncontrolled movements.
Children without CP can have these signs too, so talk to your child's provider to get the right diagnosis.
Diagnosis
- Developmental monitoring — tracking growth and development over time.
- Developmental screening — a short test for motor or other delays, as soon as there's a concern.
- Developmental and medical evaluations — checking motor skills, muscle tone, reflexes and posture, reviewing medical history, and possibly lab, genetic or imaging tests.
Treatment
There's no cure, but treatment helps — and it's important to start early. A team of health professionals builds a plan, which may include:
- medicines;
- surgery;
- assistive devices such as braces and walkers;
- physical, occupational, recreational and speech therapy.
Prevention
Genetic causes can't be prevented, but some risks can be reduced:
- If you're pregnant, get vaccinated against infections that could cause CP in your baby.
- Get regular prenatal care, which can lower the risk of preterm birth or low birth weight and help manage conditions that raise CP risk.
- Use car seats to prevent head injuries.
Sources
Based on "Cerebral Palsy," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
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