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What Does Cerebral Palsy Do to the Body?

Children with cerebral palsy have trouble controlling their muscles. The brain disorder is usually present at birth, but it can also be brought on by an infection, a brain injury and lack of oxygen. Typical symptoms include poor coordination, muscle stiffness and difficulty walking. Children with the most severe cases of cerebral palsy cannot speak or walk.

  1. Symptoms at Birth

    • Babies born with cerebral palsy may drool excessively, have trouble suckling and swallowing, hold their legs straight and cross them when picked up, be unable to lift their heads and constantly ball one hand into a fist.

    Symptoms in Older Children

    • Many children do not get diagnosed as having cerebral palsy until they reach an age at which they should begin becoming self-sufficient. Speech impediments, tremors, lack of coordination, unsteady gait, inability to start walking, abnormally tight or stiff muscles, spastic movements, tics, tremors, dragging one leg while walking, walking on tip-toes and crouching while walking can indicate that a child has cerebral palsy.

    Prevalence

    • A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) led the agency to estimate that one in every 278 American children suffers from some degree of cerebral palsy. The agency notes on its website that cerebral palsy is "the most common cause of motor disability in childhood" and that the condition is most likely to occur in African Americans, boys and children whose families have low or moderate incomes.

    Prognosis

    • Cerebral palsy symptoms do not get worse as children age, and often improve with treatment. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) notes that "Many children go on to enjoy near-normal adult lives if their disabilities are properly managed."

    Treatments

    • The treatments used for cerebral palsy vary according to the types and severity of symptoms a child experiences. The options include occupational therapy, speech therapy, braces and corrective shoes, medications to control shaking and spasticity, pain-reliving and muscle-relaxing medications, and surgery to loosen locked-up muscles or correct physical deformities. Some children may also need walkers, wheelchairs or assistive communication devices.

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