Knowledge Base

About cerebral palsy — everything worth knowing

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood motor disability in the world. Yet few people know much about it. This page aims to help with that.

17 million

people worldwide live with CP

2.1 / 1,000

births result in a case of CP (WHO)

80%

of cases are the spastic type of CP

85–90%

of cases are congenital CP

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term for a group of movement disorders caused by injury to, or abnormal development of, the developing brain.

Cerebral palsy is not a disease but a condition. It is not contagious, it is not inherited, and it currently cannot be fully cured. With the right support and development, however, people living with it can lead full, meaningful lives.

Cerebral palsy is not a disease but a condition. It is not contagious and, in the vast majority of cases, it is not inherited.

Types of cerebral palsy

~80%

Spastic CP

The most common form. Increased muscle tone and stiff muscles. Subtypes: hemiplegia (one side of the body), diplegia (the legs), quadriplegia (all four limbs).

~15%

Dyskinetic CP

Involuntary, uncontrollable movements. These may be slow, twisting motions or sudden, rapid movements.

rare

Ataxic CP

Primarily affects balance and coordination. Unsteady gait and impaired fine motor skills.

rare

Hypotonic CP

Extremely low muscle tone, floppy muscles.

mixed

Mixed CP

A combination of several types at once. The most common is the mixed spastic-dyskinetic form.

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Therapies, treatments, experiences

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Causes and risk factors

During pregnancy (prenatal causes)+

Around birth (perinatal causes)+

After birth (postnatal causes)+

Therapy guide

HIE, treatment methods, therapies

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