Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture. Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood. Cerebral means having to do with the brain. Palsy means weakness or problems with using the muscles.

Cerebral Palsy is a brain injury or brain malformation that occurs while the brain is developing before, during, or after birth. As a result of the brain damage during brain development a child's muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance can be affected.

Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

• Low muscle tone (baby feels 'floppy' when picked up)
• Unable to hold up his/her own head while lying on their stomach or in a supported sitting position.
• Muscle spasms or feeling stiff.
• Poor muscle control, reflexes and posture.
• Delayed development (can't sit up or independently roll over by 6 months).

Causes of cerebral palsy

Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), Abnormal development of the brain, Intracranial haemorrhage, Brain damage after birth. Research on cerebral palsy is published by the Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.

Katherine Gray
Managing Editor
Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
physiotherapyres@peerreviewedjournal.org