Cerebral palsy

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture. It may be caused by injury to the developing brain before, during or after birth. The injury affects the parts of the brain that control movement, coordination and muscle tone.

Cerebral palsy can affect people in different ways. Some people with cerebral palsy may have difficulty walking, speaking or swallowing, while others may have intellectual disabilities, vision problems or seizures.

Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is not a single condition, but a term that describes a range of neurological conditions that affect movement and posture. There are different types of cerebral palsy, depending on which parts of the brain are affected.

• Spastic cerebral palsy – this is the most common type. It is characterized by having stiff or tight muscles that prevent fluid movement.
• Dyskinetic cerebral palsy – it is characterized by involuntary and uncontrolled movements of the muscles of the hands, arms, feet and legs
• Ataxic cerebral palsy – it is characterized by difficulty with balance and coordination affecting movement
• Mixed cerebral palsy – it is characterized by having symptoms of more than one type of cerebral palsy.

A classification system is used to describe how much the condition affects a person's daily activities and independence. Cerebral palsy is a complex condition that can have a wide range of impacts on a person's life. Some people with cerebral palsy may only have minor difficulties with walking or fine motor skills, while others may need assistance with eating, dressing or communicating. While cerebral palsy primarily affects the movement and posture of a person, it can also affect other areas of development and functioning, such as thinking, learning, memory, attention, communication, behavior and emotions. For example, some people with cerebral palsy may need support with speech, academics, social skills, building self-esteem or coping with stress.

How common is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy affects 2 to 3 per 1000 children in Canada. It is estimated that about 17 million people worldwide have cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy can affect people of any race, ethnicity, gender or socioeconomic status.

What causes cerebral palsy?

CP is caused by an injury to the brain during pregnancy, delivery or following birth such as:

• infections
• genetic disorders
• bleeding
• stroke
• trauma

While some cases of cerebral palsy may be associated with complications during labor and delivery, such as a prolonged or difficult birth, umbilical cord problems, or low birth weight, these are not the most common causes.

How is cerebral palsy diagnosed?

Health-care providers may suspect cerebral palsy in a child who has spasticity, abnormal muscle movement or increased muscle tone. Often, children need repeat examinations over time before a diagnosis is made and there is no single test that confirms the diagnosis.

While there is no specific test to confirm the diagnosis of cerebral palsy, there are several tests that may be done to help determine the underlying cause and to exclude other diagnoses that cause neurologic changes in young children. These tests include:

• physical exam including neurologic examination
• neuroimaging such as an MRI or ultrasound of the brain
• genetic testing

Management of cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is caused by injury to the brain that may have occurred before, during or shortly after birth. This is permanent and does not heal or change over time. However, this does not mean that people with cerebral palsy cannot improve their skills or abilities with the help of treatments and therapies.

Treatment and therapy for children with cerebral palsy may include:

• physiotherapy
• occupational therapy
• speech therapy
• braces
• splints
• assistive devices for mobility
• communication devices
• medications for spasticity
• injections for spasticity
• surgery for spasticity

What you can do to help your child with cerebral palsy

While there is no cure for cerebral palsy, there are many treatments and therapies that can help people with cerebral palsy manage their symptoms, improve their function and enhance their quality of life. For example, medication, surgery, braces, splints or injections can help reduce spasticity, pain or stiffness. Physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy can help improve movement, coordination, balance or communication. Assistive devices, adaptive equipment or technology can help increase independence or accessibility.

There are many resources and supports available for people with cerebral palsy and their families, such as organizations, groups, programs or services.

People with cerebral palsy can experience changes in their symptoms, abilities and needs over time, depending on various factors, such as their age, growth, environment, treatment and personal choices. Some people with cerebral palsy may experience improvements in their movement or function with the help of therapies or interventions. Therapies and supports can optimize participation and quality of life for all people with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy Canada Network