Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy happens when the brain is damaged or does not develop the way it should. This usually takes place before birth or in a child's early years, and it is generally not a condition that gets worse over time.
Cerebral palsy usually affects muscle tone and movement. The main patterns of abnormal muscle tone are described below.
Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type. A person with this type is likely to feel tightness in the muscles throughout the body. This tightness may be constant or may come and go, and the level of stiffness differs from one person to another. Some people with this type of muscle tone may also have dystonia, or in rarer cases, athetosis.
Dyskinetic cerebral palsy describes a type of muscle control where the muscles can shift between tight and floppy without warning, leading to movements that are not in the person's control.
Ataxic cerebral palsy is the least common type. It shows up as shaky movements and poor balance. A person with this type may find fine movements difficult, such as writing or using a spoon and fork, and may have a tremor that gets worse with activity. Keeping balance can also be hard, which may make it difficult to stand or sit upright.
Mixed cerebral palsy means a person shows signs of more than one of these types of abnormal muscle tone at the same time.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
Cerebral palsy happens when a baby's brain is injured during pregnancy, birth, or in the early stages of development.
Certain things can make this more likely. These include:
- being born prematurely (early)
- neonatal encephalopathy, where the baby's brain doesn't get enough oxygen during pregnancy or around the time of birth
- a stroke or bleeding in the baby's brain, either during pregnancy or after birth
- an infection during pregnancy or after birth
- meningitis
- an injury to the head
Even so, it isn't always possible to say exactly why a particular child developed cerebral palsy.
A child can develop cerebral palsy even when their parents did everything right during the pregnancy and delivery. If your child has cerebral palsy, please know that this is not something you caused, and you are not to blame.
Diagnosis
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.
Waiting for a diagnosis can be very stressful for parents. It's natural to feel anxious when your child is unwell.
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.
Complications
Cerebral palsy usually does not get worse over time, but that does not mean it stays exactly the same throughout life. Symptoms can change with age, even once someone reaches adulthood.
Contact your GP practice if you or your child:
- notice a change in the condition
- have symptoms that are getting worse
Cerebral palsy does not usually shorten life expectancy. People with cerebral palsy often go on to live long, full and rewarding lives.
There are resources and treatments available to help both children and adults with cerebral palsy. Everyone with cerebral palsy has their own needs, and these needs may change over time. Your healthcare professional will help you find treatments and resources that suit you or your child.
Targeted physiotherapy can help you or your child improve and maintain posture, coordination, strength and balance. Physiotherapists may recommend specialist mobility equipment and advise on the use of orthotic splints.
Occupational therapists help people who struggle with everyday tasks find new ways of doing them. They can show you or your child how to break activities down into smaller movements, which helps build confidence. Occupational therapists also know a great deal about the medical aids and technologies available to help you or your child.
If you or your child is finding it hard to talk, a speech and language therapist can help. They use a range of techniques to help people improve their speech, such as helping you or your child learn to shape a sound. Some speech therapists will recommend specialist communication aids.
If you or your child has trouble swallowing, a speech and language therapist can also help, by carrying out an assessment and making recommendations.
An orthotic device is a piece of equipment that supports a part of the body. It can help improve you or your child's ability to move and stay active.
Orthotics can help with a wide range of physical problems caused by cerebral palsy. Some are only needed for a short period, while others may be used throughout you or your child's whole life. The need for them can also change over time.
An orthotist will assess you or your child's ability to move and make recommendations based on your or your child's personal needs.
Read more about mental health.
Finding out that your child has cerebral palsy can feel very overwhelming for parents. You may feel anxious about the future and cut off from other parents. If you are feeling isolated, an online support group may help you feel less alone.
Read more about mental wellbeing services.
Find out more about online support groups for parents of children with cerebral palsy.
Medication cannot cure cerebral palsy, but some types may help ease certain symptoms, such as muscle relaxants for those with spastic or dystonic cerebral palsy. Speak to your healthcare provider for more information about medication.
Surgery may be recommended to help with certain symptoms of cerebral palsy. For example, surgery on muscles, bones and nerves can help with mobility. Speak to your healthcare provider for more information on surgical options.
Read more about support for adults and children living with cerebral palsy.
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