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NCHPAD - Building Healthy Inclusive Communities

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What is Cerebral Palsy?


Cerebral palsy (CP) consists of a group of disorders characterized by mobility impairments, and is one of the most common childhood motor disabilities. CP prevalence is estimated to be 1.5 to more than 4 per 1,000 live births or children of a defined age range.

This bar graph depicts cerebral palsy prevalence among 8-year-old children in 2008 for each Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) CP Network site.

(Christensen, D., Van Naarden Braun, K., Doernberg, N. S., Maenner, M. J., Arneson, C. L., Durkin, M. S., & ... Yeargin-Allsopp, M. (2014). Prevalence of cerebral palsy, co-occurring autism spectrum disorders, and motor functioning - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, USA, 2008. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 56(1), 59-65. doi:10.1111/dmcn.12268)

This bar graph depicts walking ability among 8-year-old children with cerebral palsy in 2008 in Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM).CP Network (Christensen, D., Van Naarden Braun, K., Doernberg, N. S., Maenner, M. J., Arneson, C. L., Durkin, M. S., & Yeargin-Allsopp, M. (2014). Prevalence of cerebral palsy, co-occurring autism spectrum disorders, and motor functioning - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, USA, 2008. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 56(1), 59-65. doi:10.1111/dmcn.12268)

Types of Cerebral Palsy

CP is classified based upon the mobility impairment and can be characterized by one or more of the following movement disorders:

  • Stiff muscles (spasticity) – most common type of CP
  • Uncontrollable movements (dyskinesia)
  • Poor balance and coordination (ataxia)

Causes and Risk Factors

  • Lack of oxygen during birth process
  • Brain damage that occurs more than 28 days after birth
  • Brain damage that occurs before or during birth
  • Head injury or infection

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