How Cerebral Palsy Affects the Brain and Body

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Cerebral palsy affects both the brain and body because it arises from the cerebral motor cortex, the part of the brain that controls muscle movements. Brain damage affects the body, making movements, swallowing, eye coordination, and many daily activities difficult.

Cerebral Palsy and the Brain

Cerebral palsy is generally caused by damage to the brain, specifically, the parts of the brain that control movement.[1] The following types of brain damage can lead to developmental issues, movement problems, and issues with swallowing, hearing, and eye movement.

PVL

Damage to the brain’s white matter, known as periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), appears as small holes in the baby’s white matter of the brain. PVL can affect movement, tighten muscles, and cause vision problems. PVL can also be associated with developmental delays.[2]

Intracranial Hemorrhage

Bleeding in the brain, known as an intracranial hemorrhage, happens when broken or blocked blood vessels cause a fetal stroke. Intracranial hemorrhaging is considered dangerous, and medical assistance is needed as soon as possible.

The severity of intracranial hemorrhage depends on how much bleeding has happened and how much of the brain tissue has been affected. A grading system consisting of Grades I through IV is generally used to determine the seriousness of the bleeding.

Seizures are also associated with intracranial hemorrhage.

Asphyxia

Asphyxia is the lack of oxygen to the brain.  This can happen while the baby is still in utero and during childbirth.

Loss of oxygen for prolonged periods can lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a medical issue marked by damaged cerebral motor cortex tissue and damaged tissue in and other areas of the brain.

How Cerebral Palsy Affects the Body

The area of the body affected by cerebral palsy and the severity of its effects depends on the type of cerebral palsy and other factors.

Quadriplegia

All four limbs are affected when children have quadriplegic cerebral palsy, also known as spastic quadriplegia. It’s a subset of spastic cerebral palsy and the most severe form of the disorder.

Children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy may have mouth issues and difficulties with swallowing.[3] They could also have problems dealing with bowel and bladder control.

In severe cases, children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy cannot walk or talk and may develop limb deformities.

Spastic Diplegia

Diplegia, also known as spastic diplegia, is a subset of spastic cerebral palsy marked by issues in the limbs, specifically in the legs. Spasticity in the legs leads to stiff, jerky movements and hypertonia.

Along with muscle weakness and stiffness in the limbs, children with spastic diplegia tend to stand and walk on their toes.[4] They can also have problems with their eyes crossing, balance issues, and delayed milestones

Due to stiff and tight muscles, some children with spastic diplegia walk with a scissor gate. In a scissor gate, the legs turn inward, and the knees close together or crossed. In extreme cases, children may not be able to walk.

Although the legs are more likely to have issues, some children with spastic diplegia will also have issues with their upper body, depending on the severity of the disorder. Arms can become spastic and stiff.

With mild spastic diplegia, children can typically have good muscle tone and a good range of motion.

Spastic Hemiplegia

Spastic hemiplegia is a subset of spastic cerebral palsy that affects one side of the body.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), spastic hemiplegia generally causes muscle stiffness and spasticity in one arm and hand. Still, it can sometimes affect the leg on the same side.[5]

Muscle stiffness on the affected side can cause children to have a clenched fist and walk on their toes.

Children with spastic hemiplegia sometimes develop scoliosis (a spine curvature). Further, the affected arm and leg may be shorter than the unaffected limbs.

Children with spastic hemiplegia have a high risk of seizures and oral motor difficulties.

Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy includes the subtypes athetoid, choreoathetoid, and dystonic. This form of cerebral palsy affects the arms, feet, hands, and legs.

Children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy may exhibit writhing and slow movements.[6] Involuntary limb movements are common and generally happen more frequently when the child is anxious, stressed, or tired.

Some children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy only have affected limbs on one side of the body, whereas others will experience it in all limbs. Others may have issues with the neck muscles and involuntary neck twisting or tilting.

Oral issues are also common in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy, affecting both speech and swallowing.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic cerebral palsy can affect any part of the child’s body. For instance, ataxic CP can impact the eyes, mouth, arms, fingers, legs, and toes. Children with ataxic cerebral palsy struggle with depth perception and have a hard time with precise movements and fine motor skills.[1]

Children with ataxic cerebral palsy are prone to falling due to shakiness in the lower limbs. They often walk with their legs spread further apart than usual.

Ataxic cerebral palsy affects the mouth, which can cause difficulties in swallowing and the possibility of scanning speech. Speech problems are marked by a monotone voice tone and unusual pauses between speech syllables.

Eye movements can be abnormal for children with ataxic CP. If a child moves their eye gaze quickly, they may miss their intended target. Eye issues also cause problems when reaching to grasp objects.

Mixed Cerebral Palsy

Children with mixed cerebral palsy have a combination of issues from the different types of the disorder.

Children with mixed cerebral palsy don’t correspond to any one kind of CP. They are a mix of types.

How Does Cerebral Palsy Affect Daily Life?

The physical challenges of cerebral palsy have a big impact on daily life for children and adults with this condition. The damage done to the brain causes significant physical disabilities that often make it harder to get around, even within the home.

The disabilities can make it more difficult to learn, socialize, get dressed, eat, and even breathe. The degree to which cerebral palsy affects the activities of daily life varies significantly from one person to another.

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that causes numerous and varied symptoms and associated conditions. It is a lifelong condition that requires ongoing treatment. If your child was born with cerebral palsy, talk to a lawyer about your rights.