Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood.
It is caused by damage to the developing brain either before, during, or shortly after birth.
"Cerebral" refers to the brain, and "palsy" refers to weakness or problems with using the muscles.

Key points:

• Non-progressive: The brain injury doesn’t worsen over time.
   
• Permanent: The symptoms last a lifetime.
   
• Movement & posture affected: Muscle tone, reflexes, coordination, and balance.
   
• Severity varies widely: From minor coordination issues to total physical dependency.
   

Damage to the brain can occur due to:

Cause TypeExamplesPrenatal (before birth)- Infections (TORCH infections: Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes)
- Blood flow issues to fetal brain (stroke)
- Genetic mutations
- Maternal drug or alcohol usePerinatal (during birth)- Lack of oxygen (birth asphyxia)
- Premature birth (very high risk)
- Complicated laborPostnatal (after birth)- Head trauma (accidents, abuse)
- Meningitis or encephalitis
- Stroke in infancy 

Note: Not every case has a clear cause.

1. Spastic CP (Most common — ~70–80% of cases)

• Features: Stiff muscles (hypertonia), awkward movements.
   
• Subtypes:
   
  • Spastic Hemiplegia: One side of the body affected (arm usually more than leg)
     
  • Spastic Diplegia: Both legs (and sometimes arms) affected; common in premature babies
     
  • Spastic Quadriplegia: All four limbs, trunk, face; usually severe
     

2. Dyskinetic CP (10–15%)

• Features: Involuntary movements (twisting, sudden movements).
   
• Subtypes:
   
  • Dystonia: Twisting and repetitive movements
     
  • Chorea: Jerky, unpredictable movements
     
  • Athetosis: Slow, writhing movements
     

3. Ataxic CP (~5–10%)

• Features: Poor balance, shaky movements, clumsiness.
   
• Rare.
   

4. Mixed CP

• Features: Symptoms of more than one type (usually spastic + dyskinetic).
   

• Poor muscle control
   
• Delayed developmental milestones (sitting, crawling, walking)
   
• Stiff or floppy muscle tone
   
• Difficulty with precise movements (like buttoning clothes)
   
• Favoring one side of the body
   
• Seizures (about 40–50% of kids with CP)
   
• Intellectual disability (varies: 30–50% have some cognitive impairment)
   
• Speech difficulties (dysarthria)
   
• Vision and hearing problems
   
• Feeding difficulties (due to poor muscle control)
   
• Scoliosis
   
• Joint contractures
   

Severity can range from almost unnoticeable to profound disability.

• Observation of movement
   
• Developmental screening
   
• MRI or CT scan: Identify brain injury
   
• Genetic testing: Rule out other conditions
   
• Metabolic testing: In rare cases
   

Diagnosis often by 1–2 years old, but mild cases might not be obvious until school age.

There is no cure, but treatments can improve function.

TypeExamplesTherapies- Physical Therapy (PT)
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Speech Therapy
- Recreational Therapy (sports, arts)Medications- Muscle relaxants (e.g., baclofen)
- Anti-seizure drugs
- Botox injections (for localized spasticity)Surgical Options- Tendon release surgeries
- Selective dorsal rhizotomy (cutting certain nerves to reduce spasticity)
- Orthopedic surgeries (correct hip dislocation, scoliosis)Assistive Devices- Braces (orthotics)
- Walkers
- Wheelchairs
- Communication devices (AAC devices)  

• CP is not progressive — brain injury stays stable.
   
• Muscle, joint, and bone problems can worsen without therapy.
   
• Lifespan is near normal if there are no severe impairments.
   
• Early and ongoing intervention greatly improves quality of life.
   

The word "palsy" is used in several other conditions (not just cerebral palsy):

• Sudden, temporary weakness or paralysis of facial muscles on one side.
   
• Caused by inflammation of the facial nerve (Cranial Nerve VII).
   
• Possible causes: viral infections (herpes simplex, cold sores).
   
• Most recover fully within weeks or months.
   
• Symptoms: drooping face, inability to close eye, drooling, loss of taste.
   

• Injury to the brachial plexus nerves (neck → arm).
   
• Often caused by shoulder trauma during birth (shoulder dystocia).
   
• Symptoms: weakness or paralysis of the arm, decreased movement.
   
• Can be mild to severe; sometimes requires surgery.
   

• Damage to the lower brachial plexus (C8-T1 nerves).
   
• Results in hand and wrist paralysis, "claw hand" appearance.
   
• Rare compared to Erb's palsy.
   

• Weakness in muscles supplied by cranial nerves (IX–XII).
   
• Symptoms: difficulties speaking, swallowing, chewing.
   
• Can be caused by neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., ALS) or stroke.
   

• Looks similar to bulbar palsy but due to upper motor neuron lesions (brain injury).
   
• Emotional outbursts common (uncontrollable laughing/crying).
   

• Affects eye movement and pupil function.
   
• Causes: stroke, aneurysm, trauma.
   
• Symptoms: drooping eyelid (ptosis), double vision, dilated pupil.
   

• Compression of the radial nerve (often from sleeping in odd positions after alcohol use).
   
• Symptoms: wrist drop, numbness on back of the hand.
   

• Damage to the peroneal nerve (leg).
   
• Symptoms: inability to lift the foot upwards; dragging foot while walking.
   

• Cerebral Palsy is NOT contagious.
   
• It is NOT caused by the parents.
   
• It can be associated with other conditions: epilepsy, vision impairment, hearing loss, intellectual disabilities.
   
• Early intervention is crucial: The earlier therapies start, the better the outcomes.