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Cerebral palsy or CP is a group of permanent disorders associated with
developmental brain injuries that occur during fetal development, birth, or
shortly after birth. It is characterized by a disruption of motor skills, with
symptoms such as spasticity, paralysis, or seizures. Cerebral palsy is a form of
static encephalopathy. One form of it, spastic diplegia, is sometimes known as
Little's disease in the United Kingdom. Properly speaking, the fact that CP does
not get better or worse implies that it is a 'condition' (chronic nonprogressive
neurological disorder) rather than a 'disease.' The incidence is about 1.5 to 4
per 1000 live births. There is no cure, but therapy has been shown to be helpful
in the maintenance of motor functions. While severity varies widely, cerebral
palsy ranks among the most costly congenital conditions to manage.
Cerebral palsy develops while the brain is under development. 80% of all cases
occur before the baby reaches 1 month old, however this disorder can occur
within about the first 5 years of life. It is a nonprogressive disorder; once
damage to the brain occurs, no additional damage occurs as a result of this
condition. Cerebral palsy neither improves nor worsens, though symptoms may seem
to increase with time, likely due to the aging process.
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