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Cerebral palsy is a group of lifelong movement and posture disorders caused by damage to the developing brain before, during, or shortly after birth. It is the most common motor disability in children. Rather than being a single disease, it describes a range of neurological problems that affect movement, balance, and posture. ‘Cerebral’ means related to the brain, and ‘palsy’ means muscle weakness or trouble using muscles. While the brain injury does not get worse over time, the effects on the body can change as a child grows. The severity can range from very mild to severe, with some people needing little help and others relying completely on caregivers. At Liv Hospital, we believe that identifying the specific type and severity is the first step in building a supportive care plan.
The definition of cerebral palsy depends on where and to what extent the brain is injured. Damage to the parts of the brain that control movement can occur during pregnancy, birth, or in the first few years of life.
Most cases of cerebral palsy are present at birth, meaning the brain was damaged before or during delivery. Problems during pregnancy, such as infections like rubella or cytomegalovirus, can harm the baby’s brain. Complications during birth, like a lack of oxygen, can also cause damage. After birth, severe jaundice, brain infections, or head injuries can lead to cerebral palsy. Knowing when the injury happened helps doctors at Liv Hospital predict possible related conditions and plan care.
To define cerebral palsy, doctors look at the type of movement problems a person has. This helps show which part of the brain was affected.
Another way to describe cerebral palsy is by which parts of the body are affected. This helps show what physical challenges a person might have.
Monoplegia means only one limb, usually an arm, is affected, which is rare. Hemiplegia affects one side of the body, such as the right arm and leg, with the arm often more affected. This usually means one side of the brain was injured. Children with hemiplegia can often learn to walk, but may need therapy to improve their hand function.
Diplegia mostaffects the legs, while the arms are rarely affected or not affected at all. This type is often seen in children born earlier. Quadriplegia is the most severe form and affects all four limbs, the body, and sometimes the face. means there is widespread brain damage and comes with other problems like seizures, vision issues, or intellectual disabilities.
Doctors use the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) to describe the severity of cerebral palsy. This system has five levels and shows what kinds of movements children and teens with cerebral palsy can do.
Cerebral palsy is closely related to muscle tone. Normally, muscles have just enough tension to let us move and hold our posture. In cerebral palsy, this balance is disrupted.
Although cerebral palsy is mainly a movement disorder, it often affects other parts of the brain too. This can lead to additional health problems that are part of the overall condition.
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The primary cause is abnormal development or injury to the developing brain, which can occur before, during, or shortly after birth due to infections, oxygen deprivation, or genetic factors.
It is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person. While it is not directly hereditary in the classic sense, certain genetic factors can increase susceptibility to the brain injury.
The brain injury itself is static and does not degenerate or get worse. However, the physical symptoms and stress on the body can lead to new functional difficulties as the person ages.
Yes, with appropriate therapy, support, and accommodations, many individuals lead fulfilling, independent lives, pursue education, and have careers and families.
Severe cases can often be diagnosed shortly after birth, but milder forms might not be confirmed until the child misses developmental milestones between 12 and 24 months of age.
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