| Cerebral palsy is not a disease it is a condition. | | | | Athetoid cerebral palsy affects the ability to control |
| Cerebral refers to the brain and palsy means | | | | muscles, leading to involuntary and uncontrolled |
| weakness or lack of muscle control. In addition, | | | | movements in the affected muscles |
| cerebral palsy is not a single problem, but a complex | | | | Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type of |
| disease in which virtually all brain cell types could need | | | | cerebral palsy. Approximately 60 percent of all |
| repair. Approximately 90 percent of all cases are | | | | individuals with cerebral palsy have spasticity that is |
| caused by brain injury during the prenatal period | | | | characterized by tense, contracted muscles. Doctors |
| (before labor begins). This condition is caused by | | | | will often describe which type of spastic cerebral palsy |
| damage to brain cells that control the movement of | | | | a patient has, based on which limbs are affected. |
| muscles. A person with cerebral palsy can have mild | | | | |
| to severe physical disabilities. There are varying | | | | Ataxic cerebral palsy affects the sense of balance |
| degrees of therapies depending on the degree of | | | | and depth perception. Children who suffer from |
| condition. However, just because a person has | | | | ataxic cerebral palsy can be described as being very |
| cerebral palsy, it does not mean they will have other | | | | shaky and unsteady. |
| disabilities. | | | | Symptoms |
| Causes and Risks | | | | Children with cerebral palsy may develop eating |
| Recent studies suggest that cerebral palsy is mostly | | | | difficulties, bladder and bowel control problems, |
| due to factors affecting the brain before birth. In | | | | breathing problems, and learning disabilities. Children |
| about 70 percent of cases, cerebral palsy results from | | | | with cerebral palsy have limited use of their arms due |
| events occurring before birth that can disrupt normal | | | | to the dysfunction of their neural motor control and |
| development of the brain. This condition is caused by | | | | stiffness of their joints. Dysarthria is common in |
| an injury to the brain during pregnancy, at birth, or | | | | people with cerebral palsy, due to problems involving |
| shortly after birth. The symptoms are usually not | | | | the muscles that control speech and mastication. |
| noticeable at birth. It was previously assumed that it | | | | Although Cerebral Palsy is a permanent condition, as a |
| was caused by fetal distress, such as a lack of | | | | person learns and grows and practices skills, more |
| oxygen, during the birth process. However, lack of | | | | control over movement may be achieved. |
| oxygen at birth has not been shown to be the major | | | | Treatment |
| cause. The motor deficits of babies are usually | | | | Treatment of cerebral palsy requires a team of |
| unrecognizable before 4-6 months of age. | | | | specialists to help maximize and coordinate movement, |
| A preemie's risk of cerebral palsy is much higher than | | | | minimize discomfort and pain, and prevent long-term |
| that of a full-term baby. In addition, exposure to | | | | complications. Because the symptoms of cerebral |
| herpes group B viruses was associated with a | | | | palsy can cause behavioral and emotional problems, |
| two-fold increase in risk. Reproductive/urinary tract | | | | many children benefit from counseling or behavior |
| infections also may increase the risk in a preterm | | | | therapy. It is also not "curable" in the accepted sense, |
| delivery. Preemie's are already at risk for cerebral | | | | although education, therapy, and applied technology |
| palsy and account for approximately one-third of the | | | | can help persons with cerebral palsy lead productive |
| cases. Adequate prenatal care may reduce the risk | | | | lives. |
| of the unborn baby. | | | | The goal of drug therapy is to reduce the effects and |
| Viral infections, lead poisoning, or head injuries that | | | | prevent complications. Physical, speech, and |
| occur early in life can result in acquired cerebral palsy, | | | | occupational therapy along with counseling today are |
| a less common condition. Spastic cerebral palsy, the | | | | employed to help people lead healthy, productive |
| most common type, is a condition in which there is too | | | | lives. Most children with cerebral palsy benefit from |
| much muscle tone. However, cerebral palsy is NOT | | | | early and regular physical and occupational therapy. |
| a progressive condition, meaning that it does not | | | | In addition, education, therapy, and applied technology |
| worsen over time. Cerebral palsy generally is a | | | | can help persons with cerebral palsy lead productive |
| long-lasting (chronic) condition. | | | | lives. |
| There are roughly 8,000 infants born with this condition | | | | Conclusion |
| each year and some 1,200-1,500 preschool age | | | | With early and ongoing treatment, the disabilities |
| children acquire cerebral palsy annually. Most children | | | | associated with cerebral palsy can be reduced. |
| are diagnosed by age 5. Despite significant | | | | People living with cerebral palsy are usually able to live |
| improvements in obstetric and neonatal care in recent | | | | independently in the community, with or without |
| years, the incidence of cerebral palsy has not | | | | assistance. With support and treatment, though, |
| decreased. | | | | many people with cerebral palsy can live healthy, |
| Types | | | | happy lives. |