cerebral palsy
A group of permanent movement and posture disorders caused by non-progressive brain injury or malformation that occurs during fetal development, birth, or early infancy.
Full Definition
Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent disorders affecting the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation, that are attributed to non-progressive disturbances in the developing fetal or infant brain. The condition manifests as impaired motor function and may be accompanied by sensory, cognitive, communication, perceptual, and behavioral disorders, as well as seizures. Cerebral palsy is classified by the type of movement disorder (spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, or mixed) and by the parts of the body affected (hemiplegia, diplegia, quadriplegia). Risk factors include prematurity, low birth weight, multiple births, and perinatal complications, though the exact cause is often unknown.
Usage
Usage note: Preferred over older terms like 'spastic paralysis'; specify the type and distribution when known.
In Context
- "Early intervention services are crucial for children diagnosed with cerebral palsy to optimize functional outcomes." — Rehabilitation planning
- "The child was diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy following periventricular leukomalacia." — Neurology consultation