Cerebral Palsy: A Definition
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a fairly broad term used to describe permanent neurological disorders characterized by loss of movement or loss of nerve function. In the USA this disorder occurs in approximately 4 live births per 1,000. Cerebral palsy is often caused by hypoxia or lack of oxygen to the brain occurring during or near the time of birth.
Often, at birth no signs of cerebral palsy may be easily observed. As the child grows and their nervous system matures, however, signs of the condition may become pronounced. These signs may become noticeable by the age of three months and include the child missing many of the normal developmental milestones, such as, failure to react to sudden noises, lack of facial expression, or failure to follow objects with his/her eyes. Over time additional symptoms may follow which include: slow development in terms of rolling over, smiling, crawling, walking, and talking, decreased muscle tone or "floppy" limbs, vision or hearing problems, and poor coordination.
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