Brain Diseases
Cerebral Palsy
Back to Brain DiseasesWhat Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood. Because it affects the part of the brain that controls muscle movement, people with CP have difficulty with muscle tone, control, coordination, and body movement. CP is often related to brain damage that occurs before or during birth, but it can also be caused by abnormal brain development or brain damage following an infection or injury within the first two years of life.
3 years old
Typical age of CP diagnosis
75-85%
Of children with cerebral palsy have spastic CP, characterized by muscles that spasm or are stiff or tight
50-60%
Percent of children with CP who can walk independently
Cerebral Palsy Risk Factors
About two to three in 1,000 children have CP. It is more common in boys than girls and is more common among black children than white children.
Most cases of CP are related to brain damage that occurred before or during birth, known as congenital CP. Babies have an increased risk of CP if they are premature or low birth weight, a twin or other multiple birth, conceived through in vitro fertilization or other infertility treatments, or have kernicterus, which is a type of brain damage due to severe untreated jaundice. If a mother has an infection during pregnancy, such as chickenpox, rubella, or bacterial infection, or experiences complications during birth that disrupts the baby’s oxygen supply or blood flow, her baby can also have an increased risk of CP.
A small percentage of CP is caused by brain damage more than 28 days after birth. This type is called acquired CP and may be the result of bleeding in the brain, a brain infection like meningitis, or a serious head injury.
Signs and Symptoms
Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis
Cerebral Palsy Treatment Options
Research Efforts
Disease Resources
- Brain & Life® Magazine: Cerebral Palsy
- CDC: Cerebral Palsy
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