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Is Cerebral Palsy Life Threatening to People?

Cerebral palsy (CP), a neurological disorder that hinders body movement and muscle coordination, is a non-progressive disorder. While CP is not directly life threatening, the disability can lead to life-threatening conditions.

  1. History

    • Cerebral palsy usually develops during pregnancy but can also be caused by a traumatic head injury during childhood. Up until the 1950s the majority of children with cerebral palsy passed away before reaching adulthood due to complications of the disability.

    Current Prognosis

    • Advances in the medical field have changed the cerebral palsy prognosis to be more hopeful. Due to a better understanding of cerebral palsy, doctors can more effectively treat CP, allowing the majority of children with CP to live into adulthood.

    Proper Nutrition

    • Some people with cerebral palsy have trouble swallowing food. This can lead to malnutrition. Not receiving the proper nutrition weakens the immune system, which makes recovering from illness or infection more difficult.

    Severe CP

    • The prognosis for severe cases of CP in which the patient has restricted mobility may include sitting or lying down for long periods of time. This inactivity can lead to pressure sores. If the sores go untreated, life-threatening infections can result.

    Cerebral Palsy in Adulthood

    • A person with cerebral palsy uses three to five times more energy than the average person to maneuver around. As a result, the organs of those with CP can age faster. The heart is one of the organs susceptible to aging faster.

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