Cerebral Palsy Facts

• Cerebral palsy is usually not diagnosed until a child is two to three years of age.
• Lack of oxygen to the fetus is only responsible for a minority of cerebral palsy cases.
• Some of the known causes of cerebral palsy are: Infections during pregnancy, a lack of oxygen reaching the fetus, premature birth, birth asphyxia, blood disease, severe jaundice, other birth defects, or acquired cerebral palsy.
• There are three main types of cerebral palsy based on symptoms: spastic, athetoid, ataxic, and mixed.
• Common symptoms of cerebral palsy include spasticity, paralysis, seizures, dyarthria, and unsteady balance or foot movement.
• Cerebral palsy is not contagious and is not progressive.
• With quality medical attention before, during and after pregnancy, cerebral palsy can be prevented.
• Cerebral palsy occurs while the brain is under development.
• Cerebral palsy was first identified by a British surgeon named William Little in 1860.
• Cerebral palsy is an abnormality of motor function which affects the ability to control movements and move.
• Cerebral palsy may be associated with mental retardation or seizures.
• Many children who suffer from cerebral palsy have a normal intellect and only suffer from physical complications.
• It is estimated that the lifetime costs of medical and other care for a child born with cerebral palsy average $500,000.
  
  

Cerebral Palsy FAQ's

What causes cerebral palsy?

Although the specific causes of cerebral palsy aren't clear, some known causes include infections during pregnancy, a lack of oxygen reaching the fetus, premature birth, birth asphyxia, blood disease, severe jaundice, other birth defects, or acquired cerebral palsy.

What are the symptoms of cerebral palsy?

Common symptoms of cerebral palsy include spasticity, paralysis, seizures, dyarthria, and unsteady balance or foot movement.

Does cerebral palsy get worse over time?

Cerebral palsy is not a progressive disorder. This means that the symptoms of cerebral palsy will not necessarily get worse over time. They may improve, worsen, or remain the same.

Is cerebral palsy contagious?

No, cerebral palsy is not contagious. It is not a disease and should be viewed as an injury instead. There is no reason to fear being around someone with cerebral palsy.

Can people of any age get cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is by definition an affliction that occurs while the brain is under development. 80 percent of all cases occur before the baby is one month old. However, there are other forms of brain damage one may acquire later in life that have symptoms similar to cerebral palsy.

How common is cerebral palsy?

It is estimated that 500,000 people in the United States have cerebral palsy. About two to three out of every 1,000 children over age three have the disorder, and each year 8,000 infants and nearly 1,500 preschoolers are diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Is cerebral palsy preventable?

Cerebral palsy may be prevented through quality medical attention during pregnancy and the delivery process.

What happens to cerebral palsy patients as they grow older?

With the help of trained professionals, children born with cerebral palsy can reach their full potential. However, it is important for parents and family members to keep a positive attitude and have realistic expectations regarding the capabilities of their loved one.
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Cerebral Palsy Statistics

• About two to three out of every 1,000 children over age three have cerebral palsy.
• It is estimated that half a million children and adults in the United States have cerebral palsy.
• 70 to 80 percent of cerebral palsy patients suffer from spastic cerebral palsy.
• 10 to 20 percent of cerebral palsy patients are afflicted with athetoid or dyskinetic cerebral palsy.
• Five to 10 percent of cerebral palsy patients have ataxic cerebral palsy.
• 30 percent of cerebral palsy patients suffer spastic cerebral palsy in combination with one of the other three types.
• 70 percent of cerebral palsy cases are a result of events occurring before birth that disrupt normal brain development.
• It is estimated that 10 percent of children with cerebral palsy acquire it after birth due to brain injuries.
• Each year 8,000 infants and nearly 1,500 preschoolers are diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
• Mental retardation is found in about 25 percent of all people with cerebral palsy.
• 80 percent of all cerebral palsy cases occur before the baby reaches one month old.