Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is defined as a group of permanent disorders affecting the development of movement and posture causing activity limitations and attributed to nonprogressive injury of the developing fetal or infant brain. The common symptoms of cerebral palsy are spasticity, dyskinesia, athetoid movements, and ataxia. There is diversity in the presentation of the motor symptoms with some having minor limitations of function and others exhibiting severe disability. Cerebral palsy occurs in 2–3 of 1000 children born, and virtually, all of these children live into adulthood. In addition to the motor dysfunction, individuals with cerebral palsy also have numerous comorbidities including speech disorders, dysphagia, poor nutrition, epilepsy, bowel and bladder dysfunction, chronic pain, and a variety of orthopedic issues. Hospitalizations for respiratory and other infections or related to the associated comorbidities are common and can impact wellness. The primary goal in managing adults with cerebral palsy is to promote wellness, functioning, and participation in the normal aspects of adult life. Effective management of the symptoms of cerebral palsy and associated comorbidities along with appropriate provision of adult health care including sexual and reproductive health care will help achieve this goal.