Article
Article
Cerebral palsy
Article By:
Peterson, Hart deCoudres Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.
Last reviewed:September 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.121500
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A collection of syndromes (not a disease) of nonprogressive motor dysfunction arising from abnormal development of or damage to the brain. Cerebral palsy is the collective term used to describe a group of developmental disorders occurring as a result of a brain abnormality or injury sustained during fetal development (prenatally), at birth, or postnatally. Most cases of cerebral palsy develop in utero. Premature birth is associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy, with the lowest birth weights carrying the highest risk. A maximum of 15% of cases are related to birth injury or perinatal oxygen deprivation. Overall, cerebral palsy affects body movement and muscle coordination (see illustration). See also: Brain; Motor systems; Pregnancy disorders
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