Cerebral palsy

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy (also called CP) is a condition which affects movement and posture. Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage which usually happens before, during or just after birth. The damage may be caused by an infection during pregnancy, such as rubella (German measles), or by a lack of oxygen to a baby's brain during birth, for example. Sometimes no cause can be found.

Cerebral palsy varies from person to person. Some children are hardly affected at all, whereas others may have major disabilities.

There are different types, including:

• Spastic CP, which is the commonest form of cerebral palsy. This causes the body's muscles to become stiff and weak.
• Athetoid CP affects posture and often causes unwanted movements.
• Ataxic CP affects balance. People with ataxic CP may have shaky hand movements.

How common is it?

Estimates vary but it is thought that around one in 400 to 500 children has some form of cerebral palsy.

How will I find out about it?

Most children with cerebral palsy are diagnosed in the first year of their life.

What's the treatment?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. A variety of drugs and treatments can help to alleviate symptoms and make your child feel better. The most important therapy for your child is physiotherapy. Physiotherapy can help teach your child how to control his head movements and sit, roll over, crawl and walk.

A physiotherapist will help you to feed, carry and dress your child without damaging her muscles. Speech therapy can help if your child has difficulty swallowing or chewing.