Also known as spastic paralysis, spastic hemiplegia, spastic quadriplegia or spastic diplegia

Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions that occur at the time of birth, before birth or sometime within the first two years of life that are the result of brain injury and nervous system dysfunction. It affects one's thoughts, motor skills, hearing, seeing and learning abilities. There are several types of cerebral palsy, including spastic cerebral palsy, dyskinetic cerebral palsy, hypotonic, ataxic and mixed-type cerebral palsy.

The cause of cerebral palsy is injuries to portions of the brain. This can be due to trauma to the brain or to a lack of blood supply to the brain while the brain is still under development. In some cases, both conditions can occur at once to cause a brain injury.

Specific causes of brain injury that can lead to cerebral palsy include brain infections with herpes simplex, or bacteria or viruses that cause encephalitis or meningitis. Bleeding in the brain can cause problems with cerebral palsy as can head injury or maternal infection, such as rubella. Severe jaundice after birth can contribute to cerebral palsy. In a few cases, it is never determined what causes the cerebral palsy.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy vary depending on the site of the injury and the type of cerebral palsy. The symptoms may be severe or very minor and can involve both sides or one side of the body. It can involve both the arms at the legs or the arms only or legs only. One arm or one leg can be involved as well. The more limbs involved, the more severe is the cerebral palsy. If mental disturbances such as speech and learning deficits are present, this can add to the severity of the disease.

The symptoms can occur as early as three months of age and but can occur as late as two years of age. Developmental milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling or walking can be delayed or not reached as all.

As mentioned, symptoms depend on the type of cerebral palsy the child has. It can involve really tight muscles that don't stretch well. The gait can be abnormal and can involve the arms tucked into the sides of the body or knees crossed, making for a scissors walk. Joints can become contractured or bent and stuck into one position. Muscles tend to be weakened and can be paralyzed completely. Usually an entire arm, leg or combination of arms and legs are affected.

Other symptoms of cerebral palsy include twisting, writhing or jerking of the extremities, tremors of the extremities, an unsteady gait, a lack of coordination and floppy muscles at rest. Joints can be tight or too loose. There can be learning and intelligence problems, speech difficulties, seizures, vision and hearing problems, and muscle or joint pain.

Babies can have problems swallowing or difficulty sucking. Chewing or swallowing can be impaired in all ages. Vomiting and constipation can be a rare complication. Drooling, slow bodily growth, irregular breathing and urinary incontinence are all possible complications.

The tests for cerebral palsy include a full neurological examination to ascertain what the strengths and weaknesses are. A CT scan or MRI scan of the head can show a brain abnormality and doctors often do an EEG to evaluate the electrical activity of the brain. Hearing and vision screening are also done.

There is no cure for the disease of cerebral palsy; however, treatment is available to control symptoms and maximize activity. It often takes a team approach, including the care of a doctor and dentist, a social worker, nursing staff and physical or occupational therapy. Speech therapy can help as well. Treatment is designed to control the symptoms and to prevent the common complications of cerebral palsy.

Home care is done to prevent complications and to get the person with cerebral palsy the best nutrition, a safe home, a strong body and proper bowel care. The joints need to be protected from injury in the home.