What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy also known as CP is a condition caused by an abnormal development or damage to the developing brain that affects a child's ability to control his or her muscles. The brain damage that leads to CP can happen before birth, during birth, or within the first years of a child's life while the brain is still developing. 

The majority of CP is congenital. In many cases, the specific cause is not known. A small percentage of CP is caused by brain damage that occurs more than 28 days after birth. This is called acquired CP, and usually is associated with an infection such as meningitis or head injury. 

Four main types of Cerebral Palsy 

1. Spastic- People with spastic CP have increased muscle tone. This means their muscles are stiff and, as a result, their movements can appear awkward. 
2. Dyskinetic- People with dyskinetic CP cannot control the movement of their hands, arms, feet, and legs, making it difficult to sit and walk. Their movements can be slow and writhing or rapid and jerky. 
3. Ataxic- People with ataxic CP have problems with balance and coordination. They might be unsteady when they walk. 
4. Mixed- Some people have symptoms of more than one type of CP. The most common type of mixed CP is spastic-dyskinetic CP. 

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