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cerebral palsy

Stroke in young children often results in a movement disorder  very similar to that resulting from cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a umbrella type term referring to abnormalities of motor control or movement caused by damage to a child's brain early in the course of development.  Cerebral palsy is caused by faulty development of or damage to motor areas in the brain that disrupts the brain's ability to control movement and posture. The brain injury can occur before birth, during birth, or in the first few months following birth.  Physical symptoms typically appear in the first few years of life and generally do not worsen over time.  Cerebral palsy is usually diagnosed within the first year or two following birth.

The signs of cerebral palsy differ from person to person and may change over time. Signs of cerebral palsy may include the following:

  • child is slow to reach developmental milestones such as learning to roll over, sit up, crawl, smile, or walk,
  • weakness in one (hemiplegia) or more limbs (arms or legs),
  • standing and walking on tiptoe,
  • difficulty with fine motor tasks (such as writing or using scissors), 
  • difficulty maintaining balance,
  • walking with an abnormal gait, with one foot or leg dragging
  • involuntary movements
  • excessive drooling or 

Some people with cerebral palsy are also affected by other medical disorders, including seizures or mental impairment, but cerebral palsy does not always cause profound disability. 

Early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before 3 years of age. Infants with cerebral palsy are frequently slow to reach developmental milestones such as learning to roll over, sit, crawl, smile, or walk. Cerebral palsy may be congenital or acquired after birth. 

Several of the causes of cerebral palsy that have been identified through research are: 

  • head injury, 
  • jaundice, 
  • Rh incompatibility, 
  • rubella (German measles)
  • and stroke (caused by a variety of conditions, some causes unknown)

Doctors diagnose cerebral palsy by 

  • testing motor skills and reflexes, 
  • looking into medical history, and 
  • employing a variety of specialized tests. 

Although its symptoms may change over time, cerebral palsy by definition is not progressive, so if a patient shows increased impairment, the problem may be something other than cerebral palsy.

There is no standard therapy that works for all children with cerebral palsy.  Some of the therapies used to treat children with cerebral palsy include:

  • Physical therapy,
  • occupational therapy,
    •
  • oral medications
  • botulinum toxin
  • speech therapy,
  • behavioral therapy,
  • drugs used to control seizures and muscle spasms,
  • special braces or orthotics can compensate for muscle imbalance,
  • splinting to improve muscle function,
    •
  • orthopedic surgery to correct contractures or improve function
  • mechanical aids to help overcome impairments, 
  • counseling for emotional and psychological needs

The upper motor neuron syndrome of cerebral palsy leads to several types of muscle over activity, including spasticity.  Reducing this muscle over activity may be an important goal of treatment.  This can improve comfort and function and help prevent future musculoskeletal complications such as contractures.  Early prevention of contractures may reduce the need for corrective surgery.

Cerebral Palsy Syndromes

Cerebral Palsy The following brief description of this condition contains an overview of material discussed in much more depth in a book Cerebral palsy; A guide for care by Miller, Bachrach, et al published by Hopkins Press

Cerebral Palsy: Hope Through Research NINDS

Cerebral Palsy International Research Foundation

American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine

Easter Seals

Motor Impairment Associated with Neurological Injury in Premature Infants

Cerebral Palsy Canada

Cerebral Palsy Big Sibling Program Boston

Center for Cerebral Palsy Spasticity  St. Louis Children's Hospital

Cerebral Palsy and Deaf Organization

Family Village CP

General Information about Cerebral Palsy NICHCY

How Can I Help? CP Booklet

Cerebral Palsy Fact Sheet 2  NICHCY

Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy

SCOPE Disability organization in England and Wales

Disability Resources

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

Cerebral palsy after perinatal arterial ischemic stroke. March 2008. Indiana

Antenatal risk factors for cerebral palsy. June 2004. Sweden.

"What do you mean 'what's wrong with her?'": stigma and the lives of families of children with disabilities. Oct. 2003. Florida.

 Can We Prevent Cerebral Palsy?  Oct. 2003. Karin Nelson, MD

Everyday functioning in young children with cerebral palsy: functional skills, caregiver assistance, and modifications of the environment. Sept. 2003. Norway.

Development of hand function among children with cerebral palsy: growth curve analysis for ages 16 to 70 months. July 2003. Ontario, Canada.

Stress and adaptation in mothers of children with cerebral palsy. April 2003. North Carolina.

Intrauterine exposure to infection and risk of cerebral palsy in very preterm infants. Jan. 2003, California.

Cerebral palsy in childhood: 250 cases report.  Nov. 2002

Cerebral palsy in twins: a national study. London. Sept. 2002

Pain in children with cerebral palsy: common triggers and expressive behaviors, Sept. 2002. To obtain parents' identification and description of the behaviors, health care procedures and daily living situations associated with pain in children with cerebral palsy. Canada.

Cerebral palsy in twins:  a national study, Sept. 2002

Minocycline markedly protects the neonatal brain against hypoxic-ischemic injury July 2002

Brain reorganisation in cerebral palsy: a high-field functional MRI study, June 2002. 1 subject, 15 years old, with perinatal left-sided hemiparesis.  Australia.


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The information contained in this Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) Web site is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment, and CHASA recommends consultation with your doctor or health care professional.