Background: Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in childhood. While some children have only a motor disorder, others have a range of problems and associated health issues.

1 in 2 people with cerebral palsy have an intellectual disability. 1 in 5 people have a moderate to severe intellectual disability. Generally, the greater the level of a person’s physical impairment, the more likely it is that they will have an intellectual disability.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood. Recent population-based studies from around the world report prevalence estimates of CP ranging from 1 to nearly 4 per 1,000 live births or per 1,000 children. The prevalence of CP is higher for children born preterm or at low birthweight.

A myelomeningocele (pronounced my-elo-men-IN-go-seal) is a defect of the backbone (spine) and spinal cord. Before birth, the baby’s spine, the spinal cord and the spinal canal do not form or close normally. A myelomeningocele is the most serious form of spina bifida.

Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type and accounts for 77% of all cases. Also referred to as hypertonic cerebral palsy, most individuals with this type experience high muscle tone and exaggerated, jerky movements (spasticity).

Spastic Cerebral Palsy The most common type of CP is spastic CP. Spastic CP affects about 80% of people with CP. People with spastic CP have increased muscle tone. This means their muscles are stiff and, as a result, their movements can be awkward.

Developmental signs of ataxic cerebral palsy in a child include:

• Walking with feet spread far apart.
• Trouble bringing hands together.
• Unsteady gait.
• Trouble grasping objects.
• Over-correcting movements.
• Trouble with repetitious movements.
• Struggling with speech.
• Slow eye movements.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy?

• dystonia: twisting and repeating movements that can be painful.
• athetosis: slow, writhing movements.
• chorea: irregular, abrupt movements.

In some children with cerebral palsy, especially those who are mildly affected, brain imaging tests show no abnormalities, suggesting that microscopically small areas of brain damage can cause symptoms. About half of babies who are diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy appear to outgrow their symptoms.

There is no cure for CP, but a child’s quality of life can improve with: treatment that may involve surgery. therapy, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. special equipment to help kids get around and communicate with others.

Some children with cerebral palsy may not be able to produce any sounds, others may be able to produce sounds but have difficulty controlling their movement enough to produce speech that is clear and understood by others. 1 in 4 people with cerebral palsy cannot talk.

Forms of Mild Cerebral Palsy

• Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type of cerebral palsy and is caused by damage to the motor cortex.
• Dyskinetic cerebral palsy occurs when there’s damage to the basal ganglia.

Cerebral palsy patients go on to live a healthy and normal life as they transition into adulthood. Severe cerebral palsy can decrease life expectancy due to significant physical and intellectual impairments and associated health conditions.

The signs of cerebral palsy usually appear in the first few months of life, but many children are not diagnosed until age 2 or later.

Cerebral palsy is a “non-progressive” disorder. This means that as children get older, their CP will not worsen. While an individual’s cerebral palsy will not decline as they get older, there are a few things that can impact their overall health and wellness.

A variety of therapies play an important role in treating cerebral palsy:

• Physical therapy. Muscle training and exercises can help your child’s strength, flexibility, balance, motor development and mobility.
• Occupational therapy.
• Speech and language therapy.
• Recreational therapy.

Bernadette Rivard

Cerebral palsy is a movement disorder that can affect many aspects of daily life. Fortunately, CP is not thought to impact life expectancy. Adults with CP have a life expectancy comparable to that of the general population.

Generally, children born with cerebral palsy can expect to live between 30 and 70 years on average. Those with the longest life expectancies usually have more mobility, better medical care and adaptive equipment and greater autonomy and independence.

Yes, many people with cerebral palsy can walk! In fact, over half of all individuals with cerebral palsy can walk on their own without mobility aids like walkers or crutches.

Children with mild forms of cerebral palsy have a normal life expectancy. For example, a two year-old child with mild palsy has a 99% chance of living to the age of 20, compared with a patient who has severe disease, where the figure may be as low as 40%.

Can people with cerebral palsy drive? You bet they can! Cerebral palsy is a motor disability that affects movement. However, thanks to car adaptations, many people with cerebral palsy can safely drive.

Moderate – Moderate Cerebral Palsy means a child will need braces, medications, and adaptive technology to accomplish daily activities. Severe – Severe Cerebral Palsy means a child will require a wheelchair and will have significant challenges in accomplishing daily activities.

Cerebral palsy affects the motor area of the brain’s outer layer (called the cerebral cortex), the part of the brain that directs muscle movement.

Favoring one side of the body, such as reaching with one hand or dragging a leg while crawling. Difficulty walking, such as walking on toes, a crouched gait, a scissors-like gait with knees crossing, a wide gait or an asymmetrical gait. Excessive drooling or problems with swallowing. Difficulty with sucking or eating.

Level 5 cerebral palsy A person with level 5 CP needs support to maintain their head and neck position. They need support to sit and stand, and they may be able to control a motorized wheelchair.

The cause of Cerebral Palsy is a brain injury or brain malformation that occurs while the brain is developing — before, during, or after birth. As a result of the brain damage during brain development a child’s muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance can be affected.

Emotional and social milestones are not always as easy to assess, but delays in these can also indicate a child has cerebral palsy or another developmental disorder. A 2-month old baby should be able to smile at people and use simple self-calming techniques. Your child’s social and emotional development.

Cerebral palsy is caused by a brain injury or problem that occurs during pregnancy or birth or within the first 2 to 3 years of a child’s life. It can be caused by: Problems from being born too early (premature birth). Not getting enough blood, oxygen, or other nutrients before or during birth.

Cerebral Palsy and Fertility There is no evidence that cerebral palsy affects fertility. There is also no increased risk of having a miscarriage or a premature baby when compared to people who don’t have cerebral palsy.