Cerebral palsy is a general term used by doctors to refer to a set of neurological conditions that affect a child's movement and co-ordination. Neurological conditions affect the brain and nervous system.
Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain, which normally occurs before, during or soon after birth. Known possible causes of cerebral palsy include:
- infection in early pregnancy
- a difficult or premature birth
- bleeding in the baby’s brain
- abnormal brain development in the baby
See Cerebral palsy – causes for more information.
Symptoms of cerebral palsy
The symptoms of cerebral palsy vary greatly from child to child and depend on the type of cerebral palsy your child has. Some children have problems walking, while others are profoundly disabled and require lifelong care. See Cerebral palsy – symptoms for more information.
Children with cerebral palsy often have other related conditions or problems, including:
Types of cerebral palsy
There are several different types of cerebral palsy:
- spastic hemiplegia, where there is muscle stiffness on one side of the body and sometimes curvature of the spine
- spastic diplegia, where there is muscle stiffness in the legs
- ataxic cerebral palsy, where balance and depth perception are affected
- athetoid (dyskinetic) cerebral palsy, where there is increased and decreased muscle tone and speech problems
- spastic quadriplegia, the most severe type, where the child may be unable to walk and support their neck and may have moderate to severe learning difficulties.
For more information on the symptoms of different types of cerebral palsy, see Cerebral palsy – symptoms.
How common is cerebral palsy?
It is estimated that 1 in every 400 children in the UK is affected by cerebral palsy. Approximately 1,800 babies are diagnosed with the condition each year.
Outlook
Cerebral palsy is not a progressive condition. This means it will not get worse as your child gets older. However, it can put a great deal of strain on the body, which can cause problems in later life.
There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but a range of treatments can help relieve symptoms and increase a child's sense of independence and self-esteem. See Cerebral palsy – treatment for more information.
Last updated: 04 April 2012
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