What Is Cerebral Palsy?

brain or disrupt development, causing CP.

Some of the problems that can damage the brain or disrupt its growth include:

• neurologist (an expert on the and nerves) or a doctor who has special training in child development.

  The doctor will do a and watch your child’s movements. They’ll ask about your child’s health history, and they’ll want to hear any concerns that you have about the way your child moves. They may need to also order tests to check for problems. These include:

  • Blood tests. Other health problems may cause symptoms that can look like CP. Your doctor may offer tests to rule out other conditions.
  • CT scan. A CT scan uses X-ray technology to make images of the brain.
  • uses a strong magnet, not X-rays. It uses no radiation and can make higher-quality images than a CT scan. This can be helpful if the damage is hard to detect, but it may not always be needed.
  • uses sound waves to make an image of your baby’s brain. It may not be as helpful as an MRI at finding slight problems in the brain, but it’s an easier test for your baby to take. It can be done only in very young babies, before the soft spot gets too small.
  • EEG (electroencephalogram). For this test, small electrodes will be stuck to your baby’s head to measure their brain waves. Sometimes, this exam can help diagnose (seizure disorder), which is somewhat common in children with cerebral palsy.

How Is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?

Your doctor will look at the brain images and other test results. They’ll also review their exams of your baby over time, any milestone delays that they’ve had, plus what you’ve noticed at home.

Once your child is diagnosed with CP, they can begin to receive treatment. There is no cure, but your doctor may recommend physical therapy and muscle training.

Am I at Risk for Having a Child With CP?

You may have a condition while you’re that can increase the chances your baby will have CP. Among them are:

• Being pregnant with multiples, such as twins or triplets
• Having a health issue such as seizures or a problem with your thyroid gland
• Having that’s not compatible with your baby’s, which is also called Rh disease
• Coming in contact with a toxic substance such as mercury, which is found in some kinds of fish

Certain infections and viruses, when they strike during pregnancy, can increase the risk your baby will be born with cerebral palsy. They include:

• Rubella, or German measles, a viral illness that can be prevented with a vaccine
• Chickenpox, also called varicella (a can prevent this contagious illness.)
• Cytomegalovirus, which causes flu-like symptoms in the mother
• , which can be passed from mother to unborn child and can damage the baby’s developing nervous system
• Toxoplasmosis, which is carried by parasites found in soil, cat feces and tainted food
• Syphilis, a sexually transmitted
• Zika, a virus carried by

• Bacterial meningitis. It causes swelling in the brain and tissues around the spinal cord.
• Viral . This also can cause swelling around the brain and spinal cord.
• Severe jaundice (yellowing of the ). This condition occurs when excessive bilirubin, a yellow pigment, accumulates in the blood.

Certain problems that happen in childbirth can also increase the risk of cerebral palsy. They include:

• Premature birth.This means any time under 37 weeks into the pregnancy.
• . This means a baby is settled feet-first rather than headfirst when labor begins.
• Low birth weight. If your baby is less than 5.5 pounds, the chances for CP go up.
• Complicated labor and delivery. This means problems with your baby’s breathing or circulatory system.