What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a term used for disorders that consist of difficulty controlling movement due to damage to the developing brain, according to WebMD. Cerebral palsy is not a progressive disorder, meaning that the underlying brain damage does not worsen with time.

Between one-third and one-half of children with cerebral palsy also have a seizure disorder and some degree of intellectual disability, according to WebMD. Brain damage arising from injury or poor oxygen supply to the brain just before, during or after birth due causes cerebral palsy. Infections during pregnancy can also cause cerebral palsy. Premature infants are at a higher risk for cerebral palsy. Severe illness during the first years of life, physical injury and severe dehydration can lead to cerebral palsy.