CEREBRAL PALSY

WHAT IS CEREBRAL PALSY?

• Cerebral palsy (CP) is a broad term used to describe a group of chronic "palsies" -- disorders that impair control of movement due to damage to the developing brain

SYMPTOMS OF CP

• Poor coordination
• Stiff muscles
• Weak muscles
• Tremors (twitching movement)
• Along with problems with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing and speaking

ABOUT CP

• Develops by age 2 or 3
• Non progressive brain disorder (brain damage does not continue to worsen however, symptoms may worsen)
• One of the most common causes of chronic childhood disability

STATISTICS OF CP

• 10,000 infants are diagnosed
• 1,500 preschoolers in the U.S. are diagnosed each year
• More than 764,000 Americans have CP
• Between 35% and 50% of children that have CP will have accompanying seizure disorder

CAUSES OF CP

• Much remains unknown
• Infections, birth injuries, and poor oxygen supply to the brain before, during, and immediately after birth
• Premature infants
• Severe illness, physical trauma, and severe dehydration in the first years of life