Cerebral palsy is the dysfunction of the portion of the brain that controls motor
function resulting in partial paralysis and uncontrolled movement. The dysfunc-
tion might be caused by hemorrhage, anoxia, rubella during pregnancy, malnu-
trition, or other conditions that might affect normal development of the brain.
The dysfunction might be caused during pregnancy by the mother contract-
ing rubella or other infection, malnutrition, abnormal attachment of the pla-
centa, toxemia, radiation, or medication. Cerebral palsy could also be caused
by a difficult birth, prolapsed umbilical cord, or multiple births. An infant
might develop cerebral palsy if the infant becomes infected or as a result of
trauma and result in prolonged anoxia or decreased circulation to the brain.
There are three types of cerebral palsy:
Spastic (most common): The cortex is affected resulting in the child
having a scissor-like gait where one foot crosses in front of the other
foot.
Athetoid: The basal ganglia are affected resulting in uncoordinated
involuntary motion.
Ataxic: The cerebellum is affected resulting in poor balance and diffi-
culty with muscle coordination.