March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
CP is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture.
Cerebral = having to do with the brain
Palsy = weakness/problems with using the muscles
How common is it?
- Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood.
- Up to 4 out of every 1,000 children in the U.S. have it.
What causes Cerebral Palsy?
- Abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain due to:
- Low birth weight and premature birth
- Lack of blood and oxygen to the brain during birth
- Infection during pregnancy
What medical issues are associated with Cerebral Palsy?
- Incontinence issues (due to impaired sensation, poor muscle control, leakage)
- Urological issues (one third of CP patients require urological evaluation)
- Nutrition issues (see below):
Nutrition and Cerebral Palsy:
| Nutrition Issue | Signs and Symptoms |
| Altered gastrointestinal function |
|
| Underweight |
|
| Overweight |
|
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- MyChild at CerebralPalsy.org
- Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Nutrition Services for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities And Special Health Care Needs. J Acad Nutr Diet.
Want to know more about nutrition and development disabilities in children and how to manage them? Don’t miss this free webinar:
Nutrition Management for Children with Developmental Disabilities Webinar Video
Read more about Cerebral Palsy:
Five Ways to Build Social Skills in Children with Cerebral Palsy
