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Cerebral Palsy
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Genetics Birth Defects

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent neurologic disorders affecting movement, balance, and posture that result from abnormal brain development or damage.

What is cerebral palsy (CP)?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurologic disorders that cause problems with movement, balance, and posture. The first part of the name, cerebral, means having to do with the brain. The second part, palsy, means weakness or problems with using the muscles.

CP can range from mild to severe. The brain damage and the disabilities it causes are permanent. But treatments can improve the lives of people who have the condition, such as improving motor skills and the ability to communicate.

Types of Cerebral Palsy

  • Spastic cerebral palsy: The most common type, causing increased muscle tone, stiff muscles, and awkward movements. It may affect one part of the body, or both arms and legs, the trunk, and the face.
  • Dyskinetic cerebral palsy: Causes problems controlling the movement of the hands, arms, feet, and legs, which can make it hard to sit and walk.
  • Ataxic cerebral palsy: Causes problems with balance and coordination.
  • Mixed cerebral palsy: Occurs when a person has symptoms of more than one type.

Causes

CP is caused by abnormal development or damage to the developing brain. When this occurs before birth, it is called congenital CP. Causes may include:

  • Gene changes (variants)
  • Brain malformations
  • Infections or fevers in the pregnant parent
  • An injury to the developing baby

CP that happens more than 28 days after birth is called acquired CP. Causes can include:

  • Brain damage in the first few months or years of life
  • Infections, such as meningitis or encephalitis
  • Problems with blood flow to the brain, such as a stroke or abnormal blood vessels
  • Head injuries from accidents, falls, or child abuse

Risk Factors

Certain conditions during pregnancy and delivery may increase the risk of congenital CP, including:

  • Being born too small or too early
  • Being born a twin or other multiple birth
  • Conception by in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other assisted reproductive technology (ART)
  • Infections or health problems in the pregnant parent (e.g., thyroid issues, seizures)
  • Severe newborn jaundice
  • Complications during birth
  • Rh incompatibility
  • Exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy

Signs and Symptoms

Signs usually appear in the early months of life and may include:

  • Developmental delays (e.g., slow to roll over, sit, crawl, or walk)
  • Abnormal muscle tone (floppy, stiff, or rigid)
  • Unusual posture or favoring one side of the body
  • Stiff or tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity)
  • Shaking (tremor) of arms, legs, hands, or feet
  • Sudden, uncontrolled movements

Diagnosis

  • Developmental monitoring: Tracking a child's growth and development over time.
  • Developmental screening: A short test to check for motor or developmental delays.
  • Developmental and medical evaluations: A provider checks motor skills, muscle tone, reflexes, and posture, reviews medical history, and may order lab, genetic, or imaging tests.

Treatment

While there is no cure, early intervention is vital. A team of health professionals may utilize:

  • Medicines
  • Surgery
  • Assistive devices (braces, walkers)
  • Physical, occupational, recreational, and speech therapy

Prevention

While genetic causes cannot be prevented, some risk factors can be managed:

  • Ensure vaccinations against infections during pregnancy.
  • Seek regular prenatal care to manage health conditions and reduce the risk of preterm birth.
  • Use car seats for babies to prevent head injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Life expectancy varies widely depending on the severity of the CP and associated conditions. Individuals with mild CP often have a normal life expectancy. Those with severe CP, particularly those who cannot walk, have significant swallowing difficulties, or have epilepsy, may face shorter life expectancies due to complications like aspiration pneumonia or respiratory issues. Long-term health risks also include osteoporosis due to reduced weight-bearing activity, joint pain from abnormal movement patterns, and potential mental health challenges related to social isolation or disability.
No, cerebral palsy is a non-progressive condition, meaning the underlying brain injury or malformation does not worsen or spread to other parts of the brain. However, the physical symptoms can change as the child grows and develops. For example, a child who could walk with a walker at age three might lose that ability at age five if their muscles become too stiff or weak to support their increasing body weight, even though the brain damage itself has not changed.
Physical therapy is the cornerstone of management for spastic CP, focusing on stretching tight muscles, strengthening weak ones, and practicing functional movements like sitting, standing, and walking. Occupational therapy is also critical for developing fine motor skills and independence in daily tasks like dressing and eating. Consistency is key; daily home exercises prescribed by therapists, combined with regular professional sessions, help prevent contractures (permanent shortening of muscles) and maintain the best possible range of motion.
Yes, intelligence and speech are not directly determined by the severity of motor impairments in cerebral palsy. Many individuals with CP have normal or above-average cognitive function. However, some may have speech difficulties (dysarthria) due to the muscles used for speaking being affected by the same brain damage that affects movement. In these cases, speech therapy and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, such as tablet-based communication apps, can significantly improve their ability to express themselves.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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