Cerebral palsy is actually an umbrella term for several different types of physical disabilities. The term "cerebral" refers to the area of the brain that is affected by the disease. The disease often includes other connections in the brain involving the cortex and parts of the cerebellum as well. The term "palsy" refers to the disorder of movement.
Cerebral palsy causes damage to the motor control centers of the brain and can occur during different parts of pregnancy and birth. Approximately 75% of cerebral palsy cases occur during pregnancy and approximately 5% occur during birth. Additionally, it can occur after childbirth up to about age three. Cerebral palsy occurs in an average of 2 to 3 babies out of 1000 live births. There has also been a slight increase in these numbers in recent years.
The damage that is caused by the disorder will not worsen over time. However, secondary orthopedic conditions are common with this disorder. It is not uncommon for patients to develop arthritis and osteoporosis much sooner than typical adults. Unfortunately, much of the information on cerebral palsy is related solely to the pediatric patient rather than the adult patient.
Cerebral palsy is not genetic or hereditary and parents do not need to worry about the condition being passed down within a family.
Diagnosis
The patient's history and physical examination are used to diagnose cerebral palsy. CT and MRI imaging is often used when the cause of the condition is not readily apparent. When the condition occurs, a CT and MRI scan are often able to show where the cerebral palsy has and has not been established in the brain. It may also reveal any other underlying conditions that could be treated as well.
Prognosis
Because cerebral palsy is not a progressive disorder, the brain damage that has occurred will not worsen. However, it is common for symptoms to become worse over time. Individuals may improve during childhood, but once adults they may begin to have different complications. For instance, orthopedic conditions may develop and arthritis commonly develops early in adulthood. This is due to the pressure that has been placed on the joints due to stiff muscles and excessive muscle tone. Learning disabilities are also common in children with cerebral palsy.
