Cerebral: cer-e-bral  adj.  Of or relating to the brain or cerebrum.

Palsy: pal-sy  n.  Complete or partial muscle paralysis, often accompanied by loss of sensation and uncontrollable body movements or tremors.

Cerebral palsy is the name given to a condition which affects the way the brain controls the muscles of the body. This results in difficulties in movement and posture.

Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood. It is estimated two to three people out of every 1000 will have cerebral palsy. The condition is not hereditary and there is no cure.

The Causes

Many causes of cerebral palsy are still not known or understood. Injury or changes to the developing brain are associated with cerebral palsy.

For example, it is known the developing brain can be injured by:

• Exposure to certain infections such as Rubella (German Measles) in the early months of pregnancy
• Reduced oxygen supply to the baby during or after birth
• Exposure of an infant to severe infection shortly after birth or the first few weeks of life
• An accident in the early years of life

It is important to note that cerebral palsy has different causes, and affects each person differently, therefore people with cerebral palsy have varying individual needs.

The Characteristics

Cerebral palsy can be grouped into three main types which describe the disorders of movement and posture that may be experienced by a person. These are called spasticity, athetosis and ataxia.

Spasticity occurs when muscles are high in tone (tension) but weak in strength. A person experiencing spasticity may have difficulty moving their limbs and adopting stable posture.

Athetosis refers to uncontrolled movements, which are often most noticeable when a person with this type of cerebral palsy commences movement. In addition, children with athetoid cerebral palsy often have very weak muscles or feel floppy when they are carried.

Ataxia is characterised by unsteady, shaky movements or tremor. People with ataxic cerebral palsy and related disabilities have difficulty using muscles to achieve balance and coordinated movement. This is the least common type of cerebral palsy and related disabilities.

It is important to note that the movement difficulties each person has will be unique. Often a person with cerebral palsy will have a combination of the characteristics of the different types described above and postural characteristics may change as the person matures.

Looking at Figure 1:

Part 1 The cortex controls thought, movement and sensation. An abnormality in the movement area of the cortex can result in spastic cerebral palsy. Part 2 The basal ganglia helps movement become organised, graceful and economical. An abnormality can result in athetoid cerebral palsy. Part 3 The cerebellum coordinates movement, posture and balance. An abnormality can result in ataxic cerebral palsy.

Effects on the Body

Specific words are used to describe the parts of the individual's body that are affected.

Diplegia Both legs and both arms are affected, but the legs are significantly more affected than the arms. Children with diplegia usually have some clumsiness with their hand movements. Hemiplegia The leg and arm on one side of the body are affected. Quadriplegia Both arms and legs are affected. The muscles of the trunk, face and mouth can also be affected.