Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of lifelong conditions affecting movement and posture, resulting from abnormal brain development or damage occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. It is the most common childhood physical disability.

• Delayed motor milestones, such as sitting, crawling, or walking later than expected
• Abnormal muscle tone — either stiff (spastic) or unusually floppy (hypotonic) muscles
• Difficulty with coordinated movement or balance
• Involuntary movements in some types
• Difficulties with feeding, speech, or swallowing in more significantly affected children
• Severity and specific symptoms vary widely between individuals, from mild coordination difficulty to significant physical disability

• Results from abnormal brain development or injury affecting the areas of the brain that control movement, occurring before birth, during birth, or in early infancy.
• Risk factors include prematurity and low birth weight, birth asphyxia (oxygen deprivation during birth), infections during pregnancy, and, less commonly, brain infections or injury in early infancy.
• In many cases, no single specific cause can be identified.

• Diagnosed through clinical assessment of movement, muscle tone, and developmental milestones over time, since early signs can be subtle and the diagnosis often becomes clearer as the child grows.
• Brain imaging, where available, may help identify the type and extent of brain involvement and rule out other conditions.
• Ongoing developmental assessment helps guide the type and intensity of support and therapy needed.

There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but a range of therapies can significantly improve function, comfort, and quality of life.

Physiotherapy helps maximise movement ability and prevent complications such as joint contractures.

Occupational therapy supports the child in developing skills for daily activities, and speech and language therapy helps with communication and feeding difficulties where present.

Assistive devices, such as braces, walking aids, or wheelchairs, support mobility and independence depending on the level of physical involvement.

Management of associated conditions, such as seizures or feeding difficulties, is an important part of comprehensive care, often involving a multidisciplinary team.

• Ensure good antenatal care to reduce risk factors such as infections during pregnancy.
• Ensure skilled attendance at birth to reduce the risk of birth asphyxia.
• Seek prompt developmental assessment if a child is not meeting expected motor milestones.
• Early access to therapy services, once diagnosed, helps maximise the child's developmental potential.
• Support families and caregivers with information and access to community and disability support services.