Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by either damage to the brain, or abnormal development of the brain. This damage normally occurs before birth or during a child's early development. Cerebral palsy is not normally progressive in nature.
Cerebral palsy usually causes abnormal muscle tone and movement. The main types of abnormal muscle tone are:
Symptoms
The symptoms of cerebral palsy can vary from person to person and are dependent on the type of brain injury or abnormality. Someone with cerebral palsy may:
- struggle with movement and balance, and may be unable to walk
- struggle to speak, and possibly need to use electronic aids
- have difficulties with eating, drinking and swallowing
- have problems with their vision
- experience pain symptoms
- experience fatigue (tiredness)
- have problems with their sleep
- have epilepsy
- have a learning disability
- display behavioural problems
- have bladder control problems
- have problems with their digestive system (constipation)
- struggle to control their saliva
- struggle to process information from their senses
A person with cerebral palsy may have secondary symptoms. These are caused by the impact of the condition on their body, rather than directly by cerebral palsy. These can include:
- tightness in joints and muscles
- dislocations
- a change in their physical abilities
- changes in the amount of pain they experience
- increased fatigue
Causes
Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain during pregnancy, birth or early development.
There are some things that can increase the risk of a child developing cerebral palsy. These include:
- premature birth (being born early)
- neonatal encephalopathy (caused by lack of oxygen to the brain in pregnancy or around the time of birth)
- stroke or bleeding in the baby's brain during pregnancy or after birth
- infection during pregnancy or after birth
- meningitis
- head injuries
It's not always possible to tell why a child has developed cerebral palsy.
A child can develop cerebral palsy despite their parents having done everything right during pregnancy and childbirth. The parents of a child with cerebral palsy are not to blame.
Diagnosing
There isn't one single test that can diagnose cerebral palsy. Your medical professional will need to see how your child develops over time to make a diagnosis. They may also use tests such as brain scans to confirm the diagnosis.
Most children are diagnosed by two years old. Some children are diagnosed earlier if they've spent time in medical settings, for example children who were born premature.
To diagnose cerebral palsy, your medical professional will examine your child's medical history, and how well they can move, balance, and react. They may also use scans like an MRI to see if there's any sign of damage or abnormal development of the brain.
Living with cerebral palsy
While cerebral palsy is a non-progressive condition (it doesn't normally get worse over time), it may not stay the same throughout life. Symptoms can change with age, even in adulthood.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
- you or your child is experiencing a change in condition
- you or your child's symptoms are getting worse
Cerebral palsy doesn't normally shorten life expectancy. People with cerebral palsy often go on to live long, rich and rewarding lives.
There are resources and treatments available to help both children and adults with cerebral palsy. Everyone with cerebral palsy will have individual needs and these needs may change over time. Your healthcare professional will help you find treatments and resources that work for you or your child.