Why cerebral palsy

They can improve physical, mental, social, and learning deficits. If started early, therapies for cerebral palsy can reduce impairment and lessen the risk of developing other associated conditions. Many children diagnosed with cerebral palsy have the same life expectancy as any other. While CP does not usually shorten life expectancy, it does require early intervention and good medical care for the best outcomes.

This is especially true for those with severe disabilities. Some of the conditions associated with cerebral palsy can be life-threatening if not treated. These include breathing and swallowing difficulties which can cause pneumonia or malnutrition , seizures, chronic nutritional deficiencies, or life-threatening pressure infections.

Cerebral palsy does not necessarily cause other conditions, but a number of health issues often co-occur with it. Many kids with CP have at least one co-existing condition:. The prognosis for cerebral palsy depends on individual factors, but except in severe cases, it is possible for most children to grow up to live a normal life. Many children with cerebral palsy have average or above-average intelligence and are mobile with or without assistance.

Most children with CP go to school with their peers. They may need special education accommodations, such as assistance with communication, hearing or vision aids, and speech and language therapy. Most children with CP grow up to function as independent adults.

Those with more severe disabilities may need lifelong care and supervision. The care required for a child with special needs can be costly. If you find yourself struggling, there are several options to try:. Medical negligence occurs when a doctor or another healthcare professional cause preventable harm to a patient by failing to provide an accepted standard of care. Incidents in which negligence may have caused CP include but are not limited to:.

Malpractice cases are complicated. There has to be enough evidence just to start a case. Specific guidelines set by state laws have to be met first. Only a qualified lawyer or law firm with malpractice experience can tell you if you have a case. Assistance from UCP comes from over 80 national affiliates and includes help with transportation, housing, recreational activities, traveling, health awareness, assistive technologies, advocacy in education, and more.

UCP works to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network that has helped millions. The main, underlying cause of cerebral palsy is damage or an abnormality in the brain that disrupts normal development. There are many potential causes of brain damage, from maternal infections that impact fetal development to lack of oxygen during labor and delivery, to an accident that causes traumatic brain injury in a baby.

The causes can be broadly categorized as congenital and acquired. Congenital causes occur during fetal development, birth, or shortly after birth, while acquired causes are events that occur a month or more after birth. The symptoms and disabilities associated with cerebral palsy vary from one individual to another and depend on the severity of the initial brain injury or abnormality. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 50 and 60 percent of children with cerebral palsy are able to walk independently.

Approximately ten percent need a handheld device for mobility, such as a walker. About 30 percent of children with cerebral palsy cannot walk or can walk only with severe limitations. The life expectancy of a child with cerebral palsy varies greatly by individual because there is so much variety in symptoms and associated conditions. To feel less alone and to connect with others who are facing the same challenges, find a local or online support group. You also can get information and support from CP organizations, such as:.

Staying strong and healthy is not only good for you, but also for your child and your whole family. Living with cerebral palsy is different for every child. To help your child move and learn as much as possible, work closely with your care team to develop a treatment plan. Then, as your child grows and their needs change, adjust the plan as needed. Reviewed by: M. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Cerebral Palsy? There are different types of CP.

Some people have one type, or a mix of: spastic cerebral palsy , which causes stiffness and trouble moving dyskinetic athetoid cerebral palsy , which causes uncontrolled movements ataxic cerebral palsy , which causes a problem with balance and depth perception judging the distance between two objects There is no cure for CP, but a child's quality of life can improve with: treatment that may involve medicine or surgery therapy, including physical therapy , occupational therapy , and speech therapy special equipment to help kids get around and communicate with others Cerebral palsy does not get worse over time.

What Causes Cerebral Palsy? Brain damage also can happen from: lead poisoning bacterial meningitis poor blood flow to the brain being shaken as an infant shaken baby syndrome an injury from an accident like a car accident In rare cases, CP happens after a problem during childbirth.

Your child will need help too. Providing emotional support for your child can help him or her cope with having cerebral palsy. Learning that your child has cerebral palsy isn't easy, and raising a child who has it can be hard. But the more you know, the better you can care for and provide for your child. Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.

Cerebral palsy CP is a result of an injury to the brain or abnormal development of the brain. In many cases, the exact cause isn't known. The damage or abnormality may occur during pregnancy or birth or within the first 2 to 3 years of life. When cerebral palsy CP is severe, signs are often noticed at birth or shortly after birth. But some early signs of severe CP vary depending on the specific type of CP.

Common signs of severe CP that may be noticed shortly after birth include:. Doctors and parents may not see that a baby's movements are unusual until the movements become more obvious as the baby grows. Some problems related to CP become more clear over time. Or they may develop as a child grows. These may include:. All people who have cerebral palsy CP have some problems with body movement and posture. But many babies don't show signs of CP at birth.

Parents and caregivers may notice the first signs of CP. For example, the baby may not roll over, sit, crawl, or walk at the expected ages. Signs of CP may become more obvious as the child grows. Some developmental problems may not appear until after a baby's first year. The brain injury that causes CP doesn't get worse over time. But its effects can appear, change, or become more severe as the child gets older. How much a child is able to move around and do things depends on the type of CP the child has and how much of his or her body is affected.

The way CP affects a child also depends on the child's level of intellectual disability , if any, and whether he or she has other complications or other medical conditions. Most people who have CP have a type of spastic cerebral palsy. This can affect the whole body but may only affect parts of the body in some children. For example, a child with spastic cerebral palsy may have symptoms mostly in one leg or on one side of the body.

Most children usually learn ways to adapt to their movement problems, like using special devices and equipment to move around. Total body cerebral palsy causes the most severe problems. Many of those affected are not able to take care of themselves, either because of severe physical disabilities or intellectual disability.

But some people can live on their own with the help of family members, health care aides, or both. Some children with CP may have complications, such as seizures. Other medical conditions, such as vision or hearing problems, are often associated with CP. Sometimes these conditions are known right away.

In other cases, they aren't found until a child gets older. Adults with CP are at risk for heart and lung disease. For example, severe CP causes problems with eating. If food is inhaled into the lungs, the risk of lung infection pneumonia increases.

Just like people who have normal physical development, people who have CP have social and emotional concerns throughout their lives. Because their physical limitations may add to these concerns, people who have CP need the awareness and consideration of others.

Most adults with the mild or moderate form—and some with the severe form—live independently and have jobs. Others live and work with some level of assistance. Opportunities for independent living and employment for adults with CP have improved, thanks to better home support services and advances in technology, such as computers to assist with speech, powered wheelchairs, and other devices.

Babies born to teen mothers or to mothers age 35 and older have a higher risk for cerebral palsy CP. Also, a baby's risk for developing a brain abnormality or injury that leads to CP increases when the mother has certain problems during her pregnancy. These problems may include:.

About half of all children who have cerebral palsy CP are born prematurely. A baby who is born prematurely usually has a low birth weight, less than 2. But full-term babies can also have low birth weights.

Multiple-birth babies are more likely than single-birth babies to be born early or with a low birth weight. Most children with CP had a disruption in the normal development of parts of their brain during fetal growth.

Low-birth-weight, premature babies are more likely than full-term, normal-weight babies to have had developmental problems during fetal growth that can injure the brain. For example, a condition called periventricular leukomalacia, or PVL, which reflects injury to the white matter of the brain, is more likely in babies born prematurely than in those born at full term. In rare cases, some babies develop CP as a result of complications during the mother's pregnancy or at birth.

Risk factors include:. Risk factors for developing CP just after birth or within the first 2 or 3 years of life are related to brain damage. They include:. Call or other emergency services if your child with cerebral palsy CP :. If you have a child diagnosed with CP, call your doctor if your child has:. If you have cerebral palsy and you are pregnant, talk with a doctor about how CP can affect your pregnancy and delivery.

A team of health care providers will be involved in your child's care. Your family doctor or general practitioner can diagnose and treat cerebral palsy.

You may also be referred to specialists, such as:. Other specialists who may be involved in the care of people who have CP include:. Other health professionals who may be involved in the care of people who have CP include:. Some health care clinics specialize in treating children with CP. Call your local health unit for the nearest clinic in your area.

Developmental delays are often reported by parents or observed by a doctor during routine well-baby checks. If the diagnosis is unclear, more tests may be done. Sometimes these tests can help find out the severity of CP. A doctor may closely monitor a newborn or child for signs of CP if he or she has known risk factors.

These factors may be related to problems during pregnancy or birth, being born early premature birth , or problems that occur within the first 2 or 3 years of life. Doctors are careful not to diagnose CP too early, because some babies who have motor skill problems soon after birth never get CP.

Sometimes symptoms may not appear until the nervous system matures. It can take up to a few years before doctors can tell if a baby with body movement and posture motor problems has CP. After CP is diagnosed, a child will also be checked for other medical conditions that can occur with cerebral palsy, such as:. Most of the time, a doctor can predict many of the long-term physical effects of CP when a child is 1 to 3 years old.

But sometimes such predictions aren't possible until a child reaches school age. That's when learning, communication skills, and other abilities can be checked.

Some children need repeated testing that may include:. Other tests may be needed, depending on a child's symptoms, other conditions, or medicines he or she takes.

Even though CP can't be cured, a variety of treatments can help people who have CP to make the most of their abilities and physical strength, prevent complications, and improve their quality of life.

Specific treatment varies by individual and changes as needed if new issues develop. In general, treatment focuses on ways to maintain or improve a person's quality of life and overall health. Regular visits with your child's doctor and specialists are important for monitoring your child's condition. Physiotherapy and special equipment may be used together, such as for constraint-induced movement therapy, also called shaping.

This encourages a child to increase movements by presenting interesting activities or objects and giving praise and rewards when a child attempts to use the less-functioning muscles.

Ongoing treatment for cerebral palsy CP focuses on continuing and adjusting existing treatments and adding new treatments as needed. Working with others involved with your child's care, understanding your child's needs and rights, and taking care of yourself and other family members are all important parts of treatment. For more information, see Home Treatment. Physiotherapy is an important treatment that begins soon after a child is diagnosed.

It often continues throughout the child's life. It may begin before a definite diagnosis is made, depending on the child's symptoms. Physiotherapy may help prevent the need for surgery. But its focus may change after surgery or for problems that are new or getting worse. After surgery, specialized physiotherapy may be needed for 6 months or longer. Many people who have CP benefit from using something to maintain or improve joint mobility, help strengthen muscles and relax overactive spastic muscles, and assist with daily activities.

These devices and equipment may include special crutches, orthotics, casts, standers, special seats, walkers, wheelchairs, special shoes, and other methods to help with specific problems. The specific types of devices used depend on a child's needs. For example, a child may get a cast after surgery or to restrict movement in one area to strengthen muscles and tendons in another part of the body. If both legs are affected by CP, a child can learn to move around with the help of a scooter board a device used to self-propel while lying down , a modified stroller, a wheelchair, or other special equipment.

Other therapies may also be needed, depending on specific needs. You may hear about a wide range of controversial treatments, some of which may cause harm.

Several controversial treatments exist for CP, such as electrical stimulation and special diets. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any type of treatment you are considering for your child. Many adults with CP get jobs if they have good support from their family and community. You can enroll your teen in occupational therapy as part of a gradual preparation for independent living.

Your child may need extra help and encouragement to prepare for added expectations and responsibilities. The cause of cerebral palsy CP sometimes isn't known. But links have been identified between CP and certain conditions during pregnancy, birth, and early childhood. Some of these can be prevented. Some cannot. Doing all you can before and during pregnancy can help lower the risk that a brain injury will occur in a developing baby.

Here are some tips for healthy habits before and during pregnancy. Help prevent CP in your young child by minimizing your child's risk for getting a brain injury. If your child has not been diagnosed with CP, pay attention to whether your child is reaching early developmental milestones. Report anything you notice to your doctor at regularly scheduled well-child visits or anytime you have concerns.

Family members working together with doctors can use home treatment to provide the best possible care for a child with cerebral palsy CP. You and your family and friends can help your child reach his or her highest potential. Focus on your child's strengths. And build self-esteem by helping your child learn to do things by himself or herself. Each person with CP has unique strengths and areas of difficulty.

But most people who have CP need ongoing help with:. As your child approaches the teen years and young adulthood, be aware of his or her changing needs. Learn to change your routines as your child with CP grows and develops. For example, you may not be able to continue caring for a severely affected child who is growing tall and heavy. Try to plan ahead for the time when your grown child with CP is not under your care. Preparing your child for adulthood takes careful planning. Cerebral palsy affects each person differently and it can be difficult to predict what the outlook will be for you or your child.

If you or your child have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you may find it useful to contact a support group for information and advice. Scope is the main UK charity for people with cerebral palsy and their families. They offer:. Page last reviewed: 13 February Next review due: 13 February