Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common causes of long-term disability in children, affecting about 2-2.5:1,000 children. CP is actually an umbrella term for a group of incurable problems affecting posture and body movement. These problems are caused by a brain injury or problem with brain development occurring in utero, during birth, or within 3 years after birth. This brain injury or brain development problem can be caused by certain infections during pregnancy or during infancy, lack of oxygen during birth, infantile stroke, severe infantile jaundice and in some cases medical negligence.

The classification of CP type or subtype depends on specific symptoms, severity of limitation, and what parts of the brain and body are affected. The most common type of CP is spastic cerebral palsy. The hallmark of spastic CP is rigid and jerky muscles, but there are three specific types of spastic CP.

1. Spastic quadriplegia - The most severe type of spastic CP. It affects lower extremities, upper extremities, and the body. Mental retardation and seizures are common. It's usually difficult for this child to talk or walk.


2. Spastic diplegia - This type is associated with the child's leg and hip muscles being tight. Walking is difficult because the legs generally cross at the knees (scissoring.)


3. Spastic hemiplegic - This type is associated with only one half of the child's body being stiff. The affected body half may also have abnormally developed extremities.

Some Other Types of Brain Injuries under the CP Umbrella

Athetoid Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

This is the second most often diagnosed type of CP. The child's intelligence is normal, but muscle problems are extensive. The muscle tone can be too weak or too tight, causing difficultly walking, sitting, and speaking clearly. The child may drool from inability to control facial muscles.

Erb's Palsy

This type of CP frequently occurs when the infant shoulder becomes lodged beneath his mothers' pelvis. If the infant is forced out during delivery, the brachial plexus nerve can be damaged or torn. In the worst case, it can cause total paralysis of the affected arm, hand, and shoulder.

Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy

Problems with floppy and a poorly controlled head are apparent from infancy. Motor skills will also generally be delayed.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

This isn't an often diagnosed type of CP, but it involves: difficulty with fine motor skills, intention tremors, walking with a wide foot base, and difficultly with balance and coordination.