Learn more about cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a group of disorders that affect balance, movement, and muscle tone. “Cerebral” means the disorder is related to the brain, and “palsy” refers to weakness or a muscle problem. Visit here: 

Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a group of disorders that affect balance, movement, and muscle tone. “Cerebral” means the disorder is related to the brain, and “palsy” refers to weakness or a muscle problem. 

This abnormality in the motor system is the result of brain lesions that are nonprogressive. The motor system of the body provides the ability to move and control movements. A brain lesion is any abnormality of brain structure or function. "Nonprogressive" means that the lesion does not produce ongoing degeneration of the brain. It is also implied that the brain lesion is the result of a one-time brain injury, that will not occur again. Whatever the brain damage that occurred at the time of the injury is the extent of damage for the rest of the child's life.

There are a number of factors that cause cerebral palsy. Some cases are caused by hereditary or brain development issues while others are due to medical negligence or malpractice, like a doctor failing to properly diagnose and treat a problem during labor and delivery.

  -  Bleeding in the brain while the baby is in the womb, during birth or afterward

  -  A lack of blood flow to important organs

  -  Seizures at birth or in the first month of life

  -  Some genetic conditions

  -  Traumatic brain injuries

Cerebral palsy can range in severity from mild to severe. For example, a person with mild spastic hemiplegia is likely to be fully mobile, active and independent but has a slightly abnormal walking movement (gait). He or she may have some difficulty in using one hand and one foot may drop or drag. At the other extreme, someone with severe quadriplegia will be wheelchair-bound and need help with daily living tasks. Many people are in between these two extremes. Everyone is different and needs assessing by a specialized team.

There are some signs that may indicate a child has cerebral palsy. Not all signs are visible at birth and may become more obvious as babies develop.

Babies -

    Low muscle tone (baby feels ‘floppy’ when picked up)

    Unable to hold up his/her own head while lying on their stomach or in a supported sitting position

    Muscle spasms or feeling stiff

    Poor muscle control, reflexes, and posture

    Delayed development (can’t sit up or independently roll over by 6 months)

    Feeding or swallowing difficulties

    Prefers to use one side of their body

Other symptoms -

People with cerebral palsy can also have a range of other problems, including:

  -  feeding, drooling and swallowing difficulties

  -  constipation

  -  problems with speaking and communication

  -  seizures or fits (epilepsy)

  -  difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep

  -  gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) – where acid from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus 

  -  an abnormally curved spine (scoliosis)

  -  hips that pop out (dislocate) easily

  -  difficulty controlling the bladder (urinary incontinence)

  -  a learning disability – about half of children with cerebral palsy have a learning disability

  -  eye problems – including reduced vision, a squint or uncontrollable eye movements

  -  hearing loss