CEREBRAL PALSY : Symptoms, Causes, & Types.

Rigomo Team

Sat, 04 Oct 2025

Cerebral palsy affects approximately 17 million people worldwide. Childhood CP is the most common motor disability. CP affects approximately 1 in every 345 children. It has been discovered that 10% of the global population suffers from some form of disability, with India accounting for 3.8 percent of the population. Cerebral Palsy affects approximately 15-20% of physically disabled children. In India, the incidence is estimated to be around 3/1000 live births.

In Uganda, cerebral palsy is more common and has a higher mortality rate than in high-income countries. Cerebral malaria is most likely to blame for the underlying brain injury that occurs during early childhood. Cerebral palsy is on the rise among blacks, owing to higher rates of low birth weight.Cerebral palsy (CP) is a problem that affects muscle tone, movement, and coordination. It happens when the brain can’t properly send messages to muscles about how to move in smooth or well-coordinated ways. It can also affect other body functions that involve motor skills and muscles, like breathing, bladder and bowel control, eating, and talking.

Sometimes the cause of CP is unknown. Many cases, however, occur while a child's brain is still developing, such as before birth or during early childhood. This could be cause by:

·       Infections or other medical issues during pregnancy

·       A stroke in the womb or after birth

·       Untreated jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)

·       Genetic disorders

Premature babies (babies born early) have a higher risk of developing CP than full-term babies. Low-birth-weight babies and multiple births, such as twins and triplets, have similar risks. Lead poisoning, bacterial meningitis, poor blood flow to the brain, being shaken as an infant (shaken baby syndrome), and an accident injury can all cause brain damage (like a car accident).

How to diagnosed Cerebral Palsy?

·        Delays in development, such as not reaching for toys until 4 months or not sitting up until 7 months.

·        Issues with motor skills, such as inability to crawl, walk, or move arms and legs normally.

·        Inconsistent movements

·        Excessively tight or excessively loose muscle tone

·        Infant reflexes (such as the palmar grasp, or "hands in fists" reflex) that last longer than they should.

With CP, a variety of physical issues can arise. Some children struggle with movement, while others do not. It depends on the extent of the brain damage. Damage can be partial, affecting only the part of the brain that controls walking, for example. It can also affect a larger area, such as the parts of the brain that control walking, talking, and comprehension. The brain damage that causes CP can also affect other brain functions, resulting in issues such as:

·        Blindness or visual impairment

·        Hearing loss

·        Food aspiration (the inhalation of food or liquid)

·        Gastro-esophageal reflux (spitting up)

·        Sleep disorders

·        Speech problems and/or drooling

·        Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the bones (weak, brittle bones)

·        Seizures

·        Issues with behavior

Although there is no cure for CP, a child's quality of life can be improved with:

·       Treatment that may involve medicine or surgery.

·       Therapy, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

·       Special equipment to help kids get around and communicate with others.

·       Kids can improve their bone health by having a diet that's high in calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus.

While there is no way to completely prevent CP, there are some things that can be done to reduce the chances of a child developing it:

•        Avoiding infections or viruses that can harm the fetus, such as rubella or zika, during pregnancy.

•        Getting a rubella vaccination before trying to conceive.

•        Managing underlying health issues like blood pressure, diabetes, and so on.

•        Identifying any potential Rh factor incompatibility between mother and child during pregnancy.

•        Proper medical care during delivery.

•        Reducing the risk of head injury during/after birth.