Cerebral Palsy Statistics

Just a little clumsiness can be a sign of mild cerebral palsy in a small child. In some cases a child may be not be able to walk. Since this condition occurs very early in infancy it is known that about 1 in 278 children may face this problem. In USA, currently about 764,000 children and adults are diagnosed with CP. Annually around 8000 babies are susceptible to CP.

According to the cerebralpalsy.org

• the Center for Disease Control and Prevention predict nearly 10,000 babies per year in the U.S. will develop cerebral palsy.
• Two-thirds of children with cerebral palsy will be mentally impaired (NINDS).
• For every 1000 babies born, about 2-3 endure brachial plexus birth injuries.

Other myths that may confuse parents about cerebral palsy are:

Q: Is it a disease or some kind of genetic problem?
A: It isn’t either of the two. It is frequently related to an injury to the brain at birth or trauma. It is not inherited nor it is contagious like a disease.

Q: Can CP be prevented?
A: With better birthing methods injuries to babies are reduced and prevent CP. But during pregnancy factors relating to maternal infections may prove to be fatal and infectious leading to CP. Primarily lack of oxygen to the brain results in this condition.

Q: What is difference between birth defect ad birth injury and how it relates To CP?
A: A birth injury occurs at birth or just after birth when the doctors and medical staff are looking after the mother and child. A birth defect occurs during the pregnancy. The medical staff and doctors are not involved with any of the malfunctions.

Q: Can this condition be cured?
A: No. The damage to the brain has already been done.

Q: Can it be treated?
A: Some of the effects that occur are related to the physical body and those can be treated to a certain extent. Early detection can help in employment of therapists to monitor speech, ability to walk and do simple actions.

Q: How early can CP be detected?
A: As early as 3 years when the infant is unable to crawl, lie or has feeding and sucking problems. It has acquiring normal developmental skills of its age group.

Q: What goes on the diagnostic procedure?
A: Medical professionals do various examinations and tests to determine the depth of the effect.