Definition Cerebral palsy is a chronic condition that affects body movements and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development, or during infancy. 2. History Cerebral palsy was considered a distinct condition in 1861. Dr. William John Little, published the first paper describing the neurological problems of children with spastic diplegia (also known as cerebral palsy). This is still sometimes called Little's Disease. 3. Statistics Two children out of every thousand born in America have cerebral palsy. At least 5000 infants and toddlers and about 1,400 preschoolers are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year. TYPES OF CEREBRAL PALSY There are 4 types of cerebral palsy. This next set of tips will discuss these types, and their differences.
4. Spastic Spastic cerebral palsy is characterized by stiff or permanently contracted muscles. 70-80 percent of people with CP have this type. 5. Athetoid Athetoid cerebral palsy is characterized by uncontrolled, slow movements. 10-20 percent of people have this type of CP. 6. Ataxic Ataxic CP is characterized by a lack of coordination and balance. This type of CP accounts for 10 percent of all cases of CP. Ataxic CP (or any kind of CP) is not degenerative.
