What Is Cerebral Palsy Associated With?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a general term used to describe neurological disorders which affect body movement and muscle coordination. Cerebral palsy-related conditions can be any medical condition that is associated with CP.

Brain damage.

• 90 to 95% of cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes. The extent of brain damage determines the severity of CP.

Mental retardation.

• Two-thirds of the CP population is mentally challenged. A child with CP who is mentally challenged is more likely to suffer from pica, an eating disorder in which the individual constantly eats non-food substances.

Fetal damage.

• Damage to the fetus during pregnancy is how cerebral palsy usually develops. Fetal stroke, maternal infection and fever are all cerebral palsy-related conditions.

Faster aging organs.

• A person with CP uses three to five times more energy than the average person in maneuvering around. This makes the CP population more vulnerable to faster aging organs. Therefore, a person with cerebral palsy in his 40's is more likely to suffer from medical problems typically found in senior citizens.

Arthritis.

• Arthritis could appear in someone with CP by the person's early 30's. It is thought by some that early onset of arthritis may be a result of intensive therapy done in early childhood to improve the person's physical abilities.

Depression.

• The CP population is more susceptible to depression. This could be due to having to deal with medical conditions earlier than others in the same generation.