Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Cerebral Palsy

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: April 2002
Last Revision Date: April 2002

• What is cerebral palsy?
• What causes it?
• Who can get it?
• What are signs that my child has cerebral palsy?
• What are the symptoms?
• Is it contagious?
• How is it treated?
• How can families cope?
• How long does it last?
• Can it be prevented?
• When should I call the doctor?

What is cerebral palsy?

• Cerebral palsy is a group of muscle and nerve disorders.
• It does not get worse with time.
• Some common forms include:

Ataxia

• Poor coordination
• Difficulty balancing
• Difficulty walking or walking with a limp
• Difficulty with small movements, such as writing
• Difficulty being able to tell how close or far away things are

Spasticity

• Stiffness, tightness, difficulty moving
• Over-reaction of the muscles when moving
• Difficulty controlling the mouth and tongue

Dyskinetic

• Muscles are both too tight and too loose
• Uncontrollable movements that may be fast and jerky or slow and wave-like
• May have trouble sitting and walking
• Difficulty controlling the face and tongue

What causes it?
It can be caused by brain damage before birth, during birth, or shortly after birth within the first 3 to 5 years of life. Many causes are not known. Some possible causes include:

• Lack of oxygen
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Being exposed to radiation
• Genetic disorder
• Head injuries
• Drug use during pregnancy
• Infection during pregnancy
• Baby's blood is not the same as his mother's blood
• Brain infections
• Other problems with the brain system

Who can get it?

• Babies who are born prematurely (too early) are more likely to be affected by cerebral palsy than babies who go full-term.

What are signs that my child has cerebral palsy?

• Baby does not learn to sit or walk as soon as other children his age.
• Baby does not learn how to move as soon or as well as other children his age.
• Muscles may be too stiff or too loose.
• Child has unusual reflexes. His knee may jerk more than is normal or he may not lose reflexes that babies have but normally outgrow.
• Child may seem to be left-handed or right-handed as early as six months old. Babies do not normally show these signs until about 12 months old.
• The child may be easily distracted.
• Some children repeat sounds or movements.
• Child also may have problems seeing, hearing, or speaking.

What are the symptoms?

• Symptoms vary from child to child. Some children have more severe symptoms than others.
• The child also may have mental retardation.
• He may have learning disabilities.
• He may have trouble communicating and speaking.
• He may have difficulty eating, sucking, and breathing.
• He is more likely to get sick than children who do not have cerebral palsy are.
• He is also more likely to have dental problems, constipation, ear infections, seizures, gastroesophageal reflux, sleep problems, behavior problems, and osteoporosis (weak bones).

Is it contagious?

• No. Cerebral palsy is not contagious.

How is it treated?

• Early treatment is best. If you think your child has symptoms of cerebral palsy, take him to the doctor as soon as you notice them.
• The child will need care from his family and many different professionals. The team may include parents, doctors, therapists, psychologists, teachers, nurses, and social workers.
• The team will work together to help your child be as independent as possible. They will help him learn as much as he can, move as best he can, and communicate as best he can.
• Talk to your doctors and teachers about what education plan is best for your child. Some children do well in regular classrooms while other children do best in classrooms with a smaller number of students and more individual care.
• Using braces or a wheelchair may help the child move.
• Computers help many children learn or communicate better.
• Medicine or surgery may help.

How can families cope?

• Families of children with cerebral palsy also need support. Parents and relatives may be angry their child has cerebral palsy or they may feel guilty or overwhelmed.
• Talking to a social worker or family therapist may help.
• Many parents find comfort in support groups.
• Brothers and sisters of children with cerebral palsy also need extra support.
• If the child needs care the family can't provide, children with cerebral palsy can live in group homes or arrangements can be made for home care.

How long does it last?

• It will last all of the child's life but it will not get worse.

Can it be prevented?

• Women should begin getting regular medical care as soon as they know they are pregnant.
• Pregnant women should avoid the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
• Controlling diabetes, anemia, and high blood pressure during pregnancy may help prevent some cases of cerebral palsy.
• Pregnant women should eat a healthy diet.
• Babies should always ride in car seats to prevent head injuries.
• Children riding bikes, skateboards, etc. should wear helmets.
• Check with the doctor to make sure your baby has all of his immunizations.

When should I call the doctor?

• Call your doctor if your child does not learn to sit by 9 months old or learn to walk by 15 months.
• Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's treatment or condition.

Quick Answers

• Cerebral palsy is a group of muscle and nerve disorders.
• It can be caused by brain damage before birth, during birth, or shortly after birth within the first 3 to 5 years of life. Many causes are not known.
• Babies who are born prematurely (too early) are at higher risk of getting cerebral palsy than other babies.
• A sign that a child could have cerebral palsy is if he does not learn how to move as soon or as well as other children his age.
• Some children have more severe symptoms than others do.
• It is not contagious.
• The child will need care from his family and many different professionals. The team may include parents, doctors, therapists, psychologists, teachers, nurses, and social workers.
• Families of children with cerebral palsy also need support.
• Cerebral palsy will last all of the child's life but it will not get worse.
• To help prevent cases of cerebral palsy, women should begin getting regular medical care as soon as they know they are pregnant.
• Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's treatment or condition.

References

• Bachrach, S. When Your Child Has Cerebral Palsy. KidsHealth. 2001 June (cited 2002 March 22). URL: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/cerebral_palsy.html
• Center for Disabilities and Development. Children with Cerebral Palsy. (cited 2002 March 22). URL: http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/uhs/accp.cfm
• March of Dimes. Cerebral Palsy. 1999 (cited 2002 March 22). URL: http://www.modimes.org/HealthLibrary/334_599.htm

See related Patient Topics Bones, Joints and Muscles, Brain and Nervous System, Cerebral Palsy, Genetics/Birth Defects or Neuromuscular Disorders.

See related Provider Topics Bones, Joints and Muscles, Brain and Nervous System, Genetics/Birth Defects or Neuromuscular Disorders.

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