Cerebral palsy is a static, non-progressive disorder of posture and movement as result of permanent damage to the central nervous system during the pre-natal, peri-natal or post-natal time period. Occurring in 1.5 to 2.0 cases per 1000 births, it is the major physical disability affecting the functional development of children.
Many risk factors are associated with this disease: problems occurring during intrauterine development, congenital disorders, asphyxia occurring in any gestational age, and pre-term birth.
Newborns with birth weights less than 1.5kg are also at high risk.
Diagnosis of cerebral palsy is made mainly through clinical observations. Key signs include delayed motor milestones, unusual neurological examination, persistence of primitive reflexes and abnormal postural reactions. In general, these symptoms negatively affect the child’s ability to explore, speak, learn and become independent.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. However, therapies (i.e. physical, occupational, and speech), educational assistance, and technology (i.e. adaptive equipment such as splints, wheelchairs, and augmentative communication devices) can maximize each child’s potential and improve the quality of life for both the affected child and family.
Reference:
Jones, M. Morgan, E. Shelton, J. & Thorogood, C. (2007) Cerebral Palsy: Introduction and Diagnosis (Part I). Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 21(3), 146-152.