What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy is a condition that is most commonly caused before birth, when the brain suffers injury or develops abnormally due to other causes. It affects muscle tone and movement, leading to spasms or rigidity in the trunk and extremities, posture abnormalities, and difficulties in walking. Other effects vary widely, but may include learning disabilities, seizures, and hearing or vision problems.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Often, the precise cause of Cerebral Palsy is unknown. While it is the result of a disruption in the development of the brain, the trigger in each individual case may remain a mystery. However, certain factors have been identified as possible triggers, of which include:

• Infections the mother contracts while pregnant
• Oxygen starvation to the child’s brain during labor and delivery
• Severe head injuries to an infant, such as those that can result from a fall, an auto accident, or abuse
• Infections contracted by the infant that affect the brain or surrounding tissue
• Stroke suffered in the womb that disrupts the fetus’ blood supply to his brain
• Random genetic mutations that affect the development of the brain.

Risk Factors

Certain factors can increase the risk of Cerebral Palsy. These may be related to the mother’s health during pregnancy or the infant’s health at or after birth.

Problems with the mother’s health that increase the risk include:

• German measles or rubella
• Chickenpox or varicella
• Toxoplasmosis, resulting from a parasite often found in cat feces and soil
• Syphilis
• Cytomegalovirus, a common viral infection with symptoms similar to flue
• Environmental toxins, including methyl mercury

If a newborn contracts viral encephalitis, bacterial meningitis, or severe jaundice, the illness may increase his risk of developing Cerebral Palsy.

Babies born more than three weeks early, who are delivered in the breech position, or who weigh five and one-half pounds or less face increased risks. The more premature the baby is, the greater his risk of developing Cerebral Palsy.

In the case of a multiple birth, the risk factors increase in proportion to how many babies shared the womb. If one baby dies, the surviving infants may face a higher risk of Cerebral Palsy.

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Symptoms can vary a great deal between patients. Certain difficulties may affect only one limb or one side of the body, or the entire body may be affected. However, some of the most common symptoms include:

• Tremors, lack of coordination, or muscle spasms
• Muscles that are too flaccid or too tight
• Delayed motor development, such as crawling or sitting alone
• Displaying a propensity to use the limbs on one side over the other
• Toe walking, crouching while walking, or an unusual gait
• Difficulty swallowing or eating, often accompanied by excess drool
• Delayed or difficult speech

Cerebral Palsy may contribute to the following neurological problems as well:

• Hearing or vision problems
• Mental retardation
• Incontinence
• Seizures
• Sensitivity to touch
• Abnormally low tolerance for pain

Goldberg & Osborne, a personal injury law firm, has provided this article for informational purposes only, written by an independent author, and has not reviewed or edited this article and is not responsible for its content or accuracy.