Cerebral Palsy (Center for Cerebral Palsy) | Gillette …

Cerebral palsy describes a group of disorders that affect a persons ability to move and maintain balance and posture. Cerebral palsy is caused by brain injury or atypical brain development that happens around the time of birth or early in life.

In some infants, symptoms are evident soon after birth. In others, diagnosis comes in later infancy or toddlerhood. Cerebral palsy is a permanent condition, meaning the injury to the brain doesnt change, however, the effects of cerebral palsy often progress as people get older.

If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you have time to learn how cerebral palsy will affect them. Every child who has cerebral palsy has a unique combination of strengths and challenges. No one can predict where your child will fall within this diagnosis. Having cerebral palsy doesnt mean your child will have cognitive impairment. Only 30 to 50 percent of children who have cerebral palsy have some level of cognitive impairment, ranging from mild to severe.

Most people who have cerebral palsy live long, fulfilling and active lives. Early intervention and appropriate treatment can help your child improve their abilities and ease cerebral palsy symptoms.

Gillette Childrens Specialty Healthcare is here to help. At Gillette youll find a broad range of physicians and other health care professionals who work together to make sure you and your family have the support you need. Explore cerebral palsy diagnosis and treatment options.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that an average of one in 323 children in the U.S. have cerebral palsy, making it the most common motor disability in childhood. Youre not alone.

There are three common types of cerebral palsy, depending on what part of the brain is affected:

Developing fetuses and infants up to age 1 can develop cerebral palsy if they experience brain injury or disruptions in brain development caused by:

In some cases, health care providers are unable to determine the precise cause of a childs cerebral palsy.

Older children can develop symptoms similar to those of cerebral palsy if they sustain traumatic brain injuries, experience a lack of oxygen, or contract an infection such as meningitis. Children whose injuries occur when they are older receive a diagnosis of brain injury rather than cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy occurs in 1.5 to more than 4 of every 1,000 infants born alive. Many factorssuch as premature birth and serious illnessesincrease an infants risk of having cerebral palsy. In some cases, infants who are born at typical weights and experience no known brain injuries can still have cerebral palsy.

What to expect as your child grows.

What to expect as your child grows.

Thiscommunity forumisthe perfect place to ask questions, share your experiences and receive support from the community.

Thiscommunity forumisthe perfect place to ask questions, share your experiences and receive support from the community.

Our research efforts helpto improve treatment for children around the world who have cerebral palsy.

Our research efforts helpto improve treatment for children around the world who have cerebral palsy.

Read and share infographics about cerebral palsy or update your social media profiles.

Read and share infographics about cerebral palsy or update your social media profiles.

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Cerebral Palsy (Center for Cerebral Palsy) | Gillette ...