Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy affects approximately 500,000 people in the US alone. Some babies are born with cerebral palsy while others will develop it after they are born.

A child that is diagnosed with cerebral palsy will have a hard time moving, maintaining balance and posture. Walking will be difficult and is generally delayed. In some cases of cerebral palsy, the fine motor skills are affected so writing, cutting, and picking up items can be difficult.

Seizures and mental retardation do occur in some people with the disorder. Other symptoms of the disease are vision, hearing and speech impairment, dental problems, breathing complications, feeding trouble and poor bladder/bowel control.

Parents and caregivers will notice slow development in a baby. They will likely smile, roll over, sit, crawl and walk at a later age than other babies their age. Researchers have found some risks for the disease. A baby that presents in the breech position at birth or a complicated labor/delivery will increase the chances of a child with cerebral palsy because of the possibility of brain damage.

Low apgar scores, low birth weight, stroke, lack of oxygen to the fetus during pregnancy or delivery or seizures in the newborn can all lead to the cerebral palsy. While there is no cure for cerebral palsy, medication, braces and various therapies are used as treatment methods.