Cerebral Palsy

Fact Checked

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurological conditions caused by brain damage, and it is the most common motor and movement disability of childhood. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you need to know what to expect. Get the answers to all your questions to make informed decisions about diagnosis, treatment, therapies, and legal action.

What Is Cerebral Palsy?

As an umbrella term, cerebral palsy refers to a group of symptoms and disabilities.[1] They are all related, but each child will have a unique and individual experience of cerebral palsy.

Some of the potential issues a child with cerebral palsy may face include:[2]

• Movement and walking disabilities
• Speech difficulties
• Learning disabilities
• Cognitive impairments
• Hearing or vision loss
• Epilepsy
• Emotional and behavioral challenges
• Spinal deformities
• Joint problems

Cerebral palsy affects over 500,000 people in the U.S. There is no cure, but treatments and therapies can make a big difference.

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

Brain damage or malformation are the underlying causes of CP, but many different things can trigger damage.[4] For this reason, the exact cause of cerebral palsy can’t always be determined. Possibilities include:

• Poor brain development in the womb
• Maternal infections or medical conditions
• Disruption of blood flow to the developing brain
• Genetic conditions
• Ingestion of toxins or drugs during pregnancy
• Damage to the head or skull during delivery
• Complications related to premature delivery

Could My Doctor Be Responsible for My Child’s Cerebral Palsy?

Yes, it is possible that negligent medical mistakes caused brain damage during pregnancy or childbirth and led to cerebral palsy.

In some cases, errors are not negligent and could not have been prevented; however, negligent mistakes that may be considered malpractice include:

• Anything that deprives a baby of oxygen during birth
• Excessively forceful use of forceps or a vacuum extractor
• Failure to order a Cesarean section or perform one in time to prevent brain damage
• Failure to monitor fetal development during pregnancy or distress during labor
• Inadequate treatment of maternal health conditions during pregnancy

Types of Cerebral Palsy

There are four types of cerebral palsy:

1. Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Spastic cerebral palsy accounts for 75 percent of all cases. It causes increased muscle tone, known as spasticity, and other symptoms:

• Delayed developmental milestones for moving
• Abnormal movements
• Movement inhibition
• Stiff and spastic muscles
• Difficulties controlling muscle movement
• Problems moving from one position to another

Spastic quadriplegia impacts a child’s upper and lower limbs and body, severely restricting mobility.

Spastic diplegia only affects the lower half of the body. Many of these children can still walk with some impairments and may need assistive devices such as walkers.

Spastic hemiplegia affects one side of the body only, usually the arm more than the leg. Most children with hemiplegia can walk.

2. Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy is the second most common type of CP. Symptoms include:

• Dystonia, repetitive and twisting motions
• Athetosis, writhing movements
• Chorea, unpredictable movements
• Poor posture
• Painful movements
• Difficulty swallowing or talking

3. Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic cerebral palsy is the least common. It causes poor balance, limited coordination, tremors, and shaky movements that are difficult to control.

4. Mixed Cerebral Palsy

Mixed cerebral palsy causes symptoms characteristic of two or three other types. Spastic-dyskinetic cerebral palsy is the most common type of mixed CP.

Severity and Motor Function 

Cerebral palsy is also classified by severity. A diagnosing doctor may assign a child as having mild, moderate, or severe CP based on how well they can function independently.

They also assign a classification for motor function based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). This includes levels I through V.

How Do I Know if My Child Has Cerebral Palsy?

Some of the signs of cerebral palsy in an infant or toddler are:

• Delays in movements and motor skills, such as holding head up, rolling over, sitting, crawling, and walking
• Body parts that are too stiff or floppy
• Favoring one side of the body
• Scooting on the bottom instead of crawling
• Inability to stand, even with support

Always consult your child’s pediatrician if you notice unusual symptoms, even if you aren’t sure they are caused by cerebral palsy. Early intervention is critical when helping children with cerebral palsy.

How Is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?

There is no single test for cerebral palsy. It takes time and multiple tests and observations to get an accurate diagnosis and to rule out other conditions.[5]

Your pediatrician can either make a diagnosis or recommend a specialist if you suspect your child has any issues with motor development, muscle tone, or coordination and balance.

Doctors look for abnormal muscle tone, abnormal muscle movements, delayed development, and poor coordination when diagnosing cerebral palsy.[6]

Can Cerebral Palsy Be Prevented?

There is no foolproof way to prevent CP, but there are steps you can take to lower the risk:

• Before pregnancy, eat well and have any pre-existing medical problems under control.
• While pregnant, continue with these healthy habits and take recommended prenatal vitamins.
• See your obstetrician for regular checkups throughout pregnancy.
• Get screened for potential complications.

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to predict when an infant will suffer brain damage due to negligence. The best you can do is choose your doctors carefully and advocate for your own healthcare and that of your child.

Can Cerebral Palsy Be Cured?

There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but it will also not get worse with time. This is not a progressive disease, and early therapies and treatments can reduce symptoms and disabilities while also improving mobility.[7]

How Is Cerebral Palsy Treated?

Various treatment options can improve symptoms and quality of life for babies and children. Many interventions can be started immediately after receiving a diagnosis.[8]

Medications

Various medications help control spastic movements, seizures, relieve pain, and manage other symptoms and related conditions:

• Baclofen or other muscle relaxants
• Diazepam
• Anticonvulsants
• Anticholinergics
• Antacids
• Stool softeners/laxatives
• Sleep aids

Surgery

Surgery is a critical part of treatment for many children with CP. Surgical procedures may improve mobility or manage pain. Standard procedures include tendon or muscle release, the repair of hip dislocations, and scoliosis surgery.

Therapies

Several different types of therapies are used for children and babies with cerebral palsy. They can improve physical, mental, social, and learning deficits. If started early, therapies for cerebral palsy can reduce impairment and lessen the risk of developing other associated conditions.

Common types of therapy used to help children with cerebral palsy are:

• Physical
• Occupational
• Feeding
• Aqua
• Horse and animal
• Music
• Play
• Behavioral
• Speech/Language
• Bowel program

What Is the Life Expectancy for Cerebral Palsy?

Many children diagnosed with cerebral palsy have the same life expectancy as any other. This wasn’t always true, but earlier diagnosis and better therapies have improved many health conditions for these children.

While CP does not usually shorten life expectancy, it does require early intervention and good medical care for the best outcomes. This is especially true for those with severe disabilities.

Some of the conditions associated with cerebral palsy can be life-threatening if not treated. These include breathing and swallowing difficulties (which can cause pneumonia or malnutrition), seizures, chronic nutritional deficiencies, or life-threatening pressure infections.

Will Cerebral Palsy Cause Other Health Problems?

Cerebral palsy does not necessarily cause other conditions, but several health issues often co-occur with it. Many kids with CP have at least one co-existing condition:

• Hearing deficits
• Vision impairment
• Seizures
• Cognitive disability
• ADHD
• Behavioral and emotional issues
• Feeding problems and nutritional deficiencies
• Gastric reflux
• Constipation
• Scoliosis
• Joint problems
• Sleep disorders

What Is the Prognosis for Cerebral Palsy?

The prognosis for cerebral palsy depends on individual factors, but except in severe cases, most children can grow up to live a normal life. Many children with cerebral palsy have average or above-average intelligence and are mobile with or without assistance.

Most children with CP go to school with their peers. They may need special education accommodations, such as assistance with communication,  hearing or vision aids, and speech and language therapy.

Most children with CP grow up to function as independent adults. Those with more severe disabilities may need lifelong care and supervision.

What If I Can’t Afford My Child’s Care?

The care required for a child with special needs can be costly. According to research, the average lifetime cost for a child with disabilities in developed countries like the U.S. is between $32,000 and $4.3 million.[9]

This doesn’t include out-of-pocket expenses or lost wages. If you find yourself struggling, there are several options to try:

• Your child may qualify for cash assistance from the government through the Social Security disability insurance program.[10]
• Those approved for cash assistance from the Social Security Administration (SSA) usually also qualify for full medical insurance at little to no charge.
• You may also qualify for free or reduced child care under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) or educational assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004.
• If your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence, you have the option to file for compensation from the responsible party through legal action.

How Do I Know if My Child’s Cerebral Palsy Was Caused by Medical Negligence?

Medical negligence occurs when a doctor or another healthcare professional causes preventable harm to a patient by failing to provide an accepted standard of care. Incidents in which negligence may have caused CP include but are not limited to:

• A doctor failed to diagnose a maternal condition that led to brain injuries
• A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional failed to monitor and treat maternal or fetal distress
• Improper use of tools to assist in the birthing process
• The doctor failed to schedule an emergency C-section when fetal distress was detected
• A doctor did not detect and treat infant hypoxia, jaundice, or infection, leading to brain damage

Malpractice cases are complicated. There has to be enough evidence to start a case. Specific guidelines set by state laws have to be met first. Only a qualified lawyer or law firm with malpractice experience can tell you if you have a case.

What Is United Cerebral Palsy?

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a non-profit organization that helps people with cerebral palsy. Assistance from UCP comes from over 80 national affiliates and includes help with transportation, housing, recreational activities, traveling, health awareness, assistive technologies, advocacy in education, and more.

According to the official UCP site, “UCP educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. UCP works to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network that has helped millions.”

Frequently Asked Questions