What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella-like term used to describe a group of chronic disorders impairing control of movement that appear in the first few years of life and generally do not worsen over time. The term cerebral refers to the brain's two halves, or hemispheres, and palsy describes any disorder that impairs control of body movement. Thus, these disorders are not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. Instead, faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain disrupts the brain's ability to adequately control movement and posture.

Symptoms of cerebral palsy lie along a spectrum of varying severity. An individual with cerebral palsy may have difficulty with fine motor tasks, such as writing or cutting with scissors; experience trouble with maintaining balance and walking; or be affected by involuntary movements, such as uncontrollable writhing motion of the hands or drooling. The symptoms differ from one person to the next, and may even change over time in the individual. Some people with cerebral palsy are also affected by other medical disorders, including seizures or mental impairment.

Contrary to common belief, however, cerebral palsy does not always cause profound handicap. While a child with severe cerebral palsy might be unable to walk and need extensive, lifelong care, a child with mild cerebral palsy might only be slightly awkward and require no special assistance. Cerebral palsy is not contagious nor is it usually inherited from one generation to the next. At this time, it cannot be cured, although scientific research continues to yield improved treatments and methods of prevention.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that hinder control of movement. It is caused by an injury to the brain during pregnancy, around the time of birth, or shortly after birth. This brain damage may be caused by several factors depending on the type, the onset, and the health history of mother and child. Cerebral palsy is either congenital (present at birth) or acquired after birth.

Congenital cerebral palsy results from brain damage during pregnancy or around the time of birth and can be caused by a variety of conditions such as:

• Infection during pregnancy - there are a number of infections that can affect both mother and child, such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, and toxoplasmosis. These infections can cause damage to the nervous system of the developing fetus.
  
  
• Jaundice - severe, untreated jaundice can result in brain damage.
  
  
• Rh incompatibility - a blood condition that causes the mother's immune cells to attack the fetus, resulting in jaundice.
  
  
• Oxygen shortage - if the oxygen supply to the brain is severely low at the time of birth, the infant may suffer a type of brain damage called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
  
  
• Stroke - women who suffer from coagulation disorders may be at an increased risk for stroke in the fetus.
  
  
• Toxicity - drug or alcohol use during pregnancy can result in brain damage.
  
  
• Bleeding - prolonged bleeding in the infant's brain shortly after birth can cause brain damage.
  
  
• Kidney and urinary tract infections - these infections in the mother can lead to brain damage within the fetus.

Acquired cerebral palsy results from brain damage in the first few months to years of life and can be caused by conditions such as:

This information is meant to offer a brief overview of the potential causes of cerebral palsy. Contact a physician to learn more about your specific case.

If your child has suffered a birth injury before, during, or shortly after birth, contact a cerebral palsy attorney to discuss your legal rights.