What is cerebral palsy?

CEREBRAL PALSY

Cerebral Palsy, also known as CP, is a term used to identify children who are born with physical disabilities, many times due to lack of oxygen at birth, for some reason. Most people with CP have many difficulties from birth. Their speech may be affected as well as their ability to walk properly, sometimes their vision is affected. Developmental milestones are delayed, and many use walkers or wheelchairs to get around. They also may have "spastic" movements of the arms and legs, sometimes unable to control the muscles. Unfortunately, many people who see these children and adults automatically assume that they are very "mentally retarded" and don't treat them according to their abilities. Some kids with CP are very disabled, while others my be quite smart, but unable to express themselves. Whenever you meet a person in a wheelchair who does not have total control of speech or legs and arms, DON'T treat them like they are retarded or stupid and don't know what you are saying. You would be very surprised at how smart and capable that a person is. NEVER underestimate someone, and act like they are not there. They are there, but they may not be able to voice their feelings.

Answer

It is when a newborn is born with bleeding in the brain.

A motor function disorder caused by a permanent, lesion or nonprogressive brain defect usually present at birth or sometime after; usually associated with premature/abnormal birth or intrapartum asphyxia, which damages the extremely delicate nervous system. Delays in walking are almost always present, and even if walking is attempted the child manifests the typical scissors gait. Arms may be affected slightly, fingers are often spastic, and the exaggeration of deep-tendon reflexes can be easily identified. Treatment may include sugical correction of deformities, speech therapy, muscle relaxants, braces, anticonvulsants, and treatment is usually individualized. The neurologic deficit caused by the disease may result in seizures; impaired speech, vision, and hearing; spastic hemiplegia, monoplegia, diplegia, or quadriplegia; athetosis or ataxia; and varying degrees of mental retardation. Characteristics noticed shortly after birth are abnormalities in breathing, sucking, swallowing, and responsiveness. However, the awkward movements of the infants limbs may simply be overlooked for several months, often delaying the diagnosis for some time.

Also called congenital cerebral diplegia, and Little's disease.

First answer by ADR0760. Last edit by MrsLexiNickJonas. Contributor trust: 2 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 14 [recommend question]