Cerebral palsy (CP) is a movement disorder caused by developmental brain defects. Causes of CP are thought to include premature birth, illnesses during fetal development, jaundice, trauma during birth, and lack of oxygen immediately after birth.

Causes

Several of the causes of cerebral palsy that have been identified through research are preventable or treatable: head injury, jaundice, Rh incompatibility, and rubella (German measles).

Symptoms

Symptoms include difficulty with fine motor tasks (such as writing or using scissors), difficulty maintaining balance or walking, involuntary movements. The symptoms differ from person to person and may change over time. 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 handicap. Early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before three 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.

Children with CP may have involuntary movements in certain parts of the body, as well as muscle spasticity, weakness, and partial paralysis. In some cases, children with CP may develop seizures, visual problems, and deafness.

Diagnosis

CP can usually be diagnosed by age two with imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

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.

Treatment

There is no cure for CP. Treatment consists of physical therapy, occupational therapy, the use of leg or arm braces, and orthopedic surgery.