With appropriate support, children with cerebral palsy can lead rewarding lives. Here’s what parents need to know about cerebral palsy (CP), plus what’s needed to give kids with CP the best possible start. 

What is cerebral palsy (CP)?

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders caused by damage to the brain most often before birth or during the birthing process. This damage affects a person’s ability to move and maintain balance. It’s the most common motor disability among children, affecting an average of 1 in 345 babies in the U.S. each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Cerebral palsy can make it harder for children to walk or run, and some may need to use a wheelchair. Some children may also have trouble controlling muscles involved in talking or eating, resulting in possible speech delays or feeding problems.

What causes cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is most often caused by abnormal brain development or injury during pregnancy, labor or immediately after birth.

Abnormal development or injury can happen due to premature birth or medical problems that a woman has during her pregnancy. In some cases, cerebral palsy can develop after birth because of severe, untreated jaundice, a serious infection, or a serious injury like a car accident or fall. 

Risk factors for cerebral palsy

A baby’s chances for sustaining abnormal brain development or an injury that leads to cerebral palsy can be higher if a mother has certain infections or exposures to toxic substances during pregnancy. These infections include rubella, herpes, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, Zika or certain intrauterine infections.

Infant infections after birth can play a role, too. Babies who have bacterial meningitis, viral encephalitis, severe or untreated jaundice, or bleeding in the brain are more likely to develop cerebral palsy.

Being pregnant with multiples, having a complicated labor or delivery, or having a breech baby may increase the risk for cerebral palsy. Rh or blood type incompatibility between a mom and baby can also raise the chances for CP, if the incompatibility isn’t treated properly

Types of cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy can look different depending on which part of the brain is affected. These differences are categorized into three types:

  • Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type, affecting about 80 percent of people with CP. Children with this type of cerebral palsy have stiff muscles and often have difficulty walking. This severe form usually also has other symptoms, including intellectual disabilities, seizures and problems with vision, hearing and speech.
  • Dyskinetic cerebral palsy affects about 2.6 percent of people with CP and causes a person to have trouble controlling their hands, arms, legs and feet, leading to slow or rapid and jerky movement. Dyskinetic CP can also make it harder to swallow, suck or talk.
  • Ataxic cerebral palsy occurs in about 2.4 percent of people with CP and causes problems with balance and coordination. Quick movements like handwriting or controlling the hands or arms while moving can also be difficult.
  • Mixed cerebral palsy occurs in about 15.4 percent of people with CP and when a person has symptoms of more than one type. 

Symptoms of cerebral palsy in babies

Your child's doctor will usually spot the symptoms of this disorder within the first several months of life. Your child may have delays in meeting her gross and fine motor milestones. Other symptoms may be more subtle, and your child may not be diagnosed until the first or second year.

Newborns may have trouble sucking, or their arms and legs may shake with tremors. Some babies may have stiff or extremely floppy muscles, or have trouble reaching certain milestones, like rolling over, clapping, sitting independently or standing with support.

Some babies with cerebral palsy reach out with only one hand while keeping the other hand in a fist, or they crawl on only one side of the body, while dragging the other arm and leg.

How is cerebral palsy diagnosed?

Cerebral palsy is often diagnosed before a child’s second birthday. If a baby or toddler isn’t meeting motor or movement milestones that are appropriate for her age, a pediatrician will first perform tests to evaluate the child’s development, growth, muscle tone, motor control, hearing, vision, posture and balance.

If these tests suggest cerebral palsy, imaging tests are needed to look at a child’s brain and make a diagnosis. These can include cranial ultrasounds, CT scans or MRI. Tests to look at the electrical activity in a child’s brain, like an electroencephalogram, might also be performed.

Treatment for cerebral palsy

While there's no cure for cerebral palsy, treatments focus on improving mobility and maximizing quality of life. When CP is well managed, children can overcome many of the disorder's challenges and enjoy near-normal lives.

The type and severity of their cerebral palsy will determine the types of therapies a child will need. These can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or assistive devices to help with walking. Medications can also help with stiffness or spasms when therapy isn’t enough.

In some cases, more advanced treatments or surgery may be recommended. The earlier parents start treatment for their children, the greater chance they have of reaching their full potential.

Improved therapies and new technology are helping families in more ways than ever. And with the right care, every child with CP can flourish.