8 Key Cerebral Palsy (CP) Facts That Everyone Should Know

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Cerebral Palsy (CP) Facts a Brief Overview of Cerebral Palsy

According to Centers for Disease Control, cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. CP 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. CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles.

Further noted by Cerebral Palsy Alliance a few key facts

• CP is an umbrella term for a group of disorders. It is a condition that is permanent, but not unchanging.
• CP is a life-long physical disability due to damage of the developing brain.
• In most cases, brain injury leading to CP occurs during pregnancy.
• CP, except in its mildest forms, can be evident in the first 12-18 months.
• Globally, approximately 17 million people have cerebral palsy.

From CDC, a few key facts

• CP was more common among boys than among girls.
• CP was more common among Black children than White children. Hispanic and White children were about equally likely to have CP.
• Most (77.4%) of the children identified with CP had spastic CP.

In addition, Centers for Disease Control, noted that the symptoms of CP vary from person to person.  A person with mild CP might walk a little awkwardly, but might not need any special help.  Whereas, a person with severe CP might need to use special equipment to be able to walk, or might not be able to walk at all and might need lifelong care. CP does not get worse over time, though the exact symptoms can change over a person’s lifetime.

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Sources:

Facts About Cerebral Palsy: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html

Facts about cerebral palsy: https://www.cerebralpalsy.org.au/what-is-cerebral-palsy/facts-about-cerebral-palsy/

CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/data.html

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