'Cerebral Palsy Informational Section'

What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of chronic conditions affecting
body movements and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain.

Depending on which areas of the brain have been damaged, one or more of the following may occur: • muscle tightness or spasm • involuntary movement • disturbance in gait and mobility • abnormal sensation and perception • impairment of sight, hearing or speech • seizures

What causes Cerebral Palsy? We do not know the cause of most cases of cerebral palsy. But, two main causes are •1•Developmental malformations - Occasionally, something may disrupt the brain's normal development process •2•Neurological Damage - If your child does not have a developmental brain malformation, then their cerebral palsy may be the result of an injury to their brain before, during, or after birth


Types of problems that can lead to brain injuries include: • lack of oxygen before, during, or after birth. • bleeding in the brain. • toxic injuries, or poisoning, form alcohol or drugs used by the mother. • head trauma resulting from a birth injury, fall, car accident, or other cause. • severe jaundice, very low glucose levels, or other metabolic disorders. • infections of the nervous system such as encephalitis or meningitis.


There are three main types of cerebral palsy: • spastic (stiff and difficult movement) • athetoid (involuntary and uncontrolled movement) • ataxic (disturbed sense of balance and depth perception)

Can cerebral palsy be prevented? Yes, cerebral palsy can be prevented. Several measures of prevention are increasingly possible today. Pregnant women are tested routinely for the Rh factor and, if Rh negative.


We hope our information will be of help to you and your loved ones.

CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN FOR A PROPER DIAGNOSIS