What Is It?
Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive disorder of the brain that occurs in a growing child. It could happen during birth, when the brain suffers from oxygen deprivation (anoxia). It could also happen from head injury in a child, or from infection like encephalitis or meningitis.

When the brain cells controlling muscle tone and strength are damaged, changes occur to the muscles. With growth of the child, these changes in the muscles affect skeletal and joint development. leading to deformities and disabilities.

The cognitive aspect of brain function (I.Q.) is often, but not always affected. But the musculoskeletal system is always affected to some degree.

What Are The Symptoms?
In the first year of life, the infant may present as a floppy baby, but with further growth, the muscles often become spastic. Spastic muscles are best described as "tight muscles", and there is lack of the normal smooth motion. Depending on the extent of involvement, cerebral palsy can be classified as follows:

• Spastic Hemiplegia occurs when one side of the body is involved (e.g., left arm and leg). The child usually walks but with a limp.
  
  

• Spastic Diplegia occurs when the lower limbs are mostly affected, and the arms are mostly spared. These children may have limited walking, but are often wheelchair bound.
  
  

• Total Body Involvement occurs when all four limbs are affected. These children are very severely involved, and often have cognitive problems as well.

Deformities occur with growth, due to muscle imbalance that leads to contractures and joint dislocations.