What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a condition in which damage the immature brain affects movement, posture and co-ordination.
The condition can occur before, during or after birth.
Cerebral Palsy may not become obvious until early childhood if it is not very severe.
Cerebral palsy is a wide-ranging condition and can affect people in many different ways.
It is believed that about one in every 400 children is affected by Cerebral Palsy.
1,800 babies who are diagnosed with cerebral palsy in Great Britain each year.
Cerebral palsy can affect people from all social backgrounds and ethnic groups.
Its not often possible for doctors to give a precise reason to why part of a baby's brain has been injured or failed to develop, as there may be no obvious single reason why a child has cerebral palsy.
Causes of cerebral palsy can be multiple and complex. Known possible causes include:
The condition can occur before, during or after birth.
Cerebral Palsy may not become obvious until early childhood if it is not very severe.
Cerebral palsy is a wide-ranging condition and can affect people in many different ways.
It is believed that about one in every 400 children is affected by Cerebral Palsy.
1,800 babies who are diagnosed with cerebral palsy in Great Britain each year.
Cerebral palsy can affect people from all social backgrounds and ethnic groups.
Its not often possible for doctors to give a precise reason to why part of a baby's brain has been injured or failed to develop, as there may be no obvious single reason why a child has cerebral palsy.
Causes of cerebral palsy can be multiple and complex. Known possible causes include:
- Infection in the early part of pregnancy.
- Oxygen starvation to the brain
- Difficult or premature birth.
- A cerebral (brain) bleed.
- Premature or multiple birth.
- Abnormal brain development.
- A genetic link (though this is quite rare).
Problems Caused by Cerebral Palsy
There may be abnormal tone (stiffness or floppiness) of the limbs and odd postures.
Other common problems include:
- Incoordination of the muscles of the mouth may cause feeding problems such as slow feeding, gagging and vomiting.
- There may be delayed motor milestones, such as crawling and walking, weakness or paralysis of the limbs, an abnormal gait and slowness in developing speech and social skills.
Other common problems include:
- Difficulty with walking, writing, eating, talking, dressing
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Difficulty controlling and maintaining posture (they may need help to sit upright)
- Visual difficulties
- Hearing problems
There is no cure for cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is not progressive - the condition itself does not become more severe as the child gets older, although some of the effects on the body may become more noticeable and function may deteriorate.
If children are positioned well from an early age and encouraged to move in a way that helps them to improve their posture and muscle control, they can be supported to develop and achieve more independence for themselves.
There are also a number of therapies, which may be beneficial for some individuals.
If children are positioned well from an early age and encouraged to move in a way that helps them to improve their posture and muscle control, they can be supported to develop and achieve more independence for themselves.
There are also a number of therapies, which may be beneficial for some individuals.