Some events during birth can lead to a lack of oxygen in the brain. Brain cells die if they do not have oxygen-even for a few minutes. After birth, a baby may develop cerebral palsy if disease or injury damages the brain. During the first year of life, infections and accidental dropping of the child are the most frequent causes of the condition. In some cases, child beating has caused cerebral palsy.
Symptoms are sometimes apparent at birth.
However, in most cases, a definitive diagnosis may not be made until the child is between one and two years old. Since cerebral palsy is a permanent, nonprogressive brain disorder, there is no cure. Treatment is aimed at helping the person make best use of his or her abilities. The degree of success in the treatment of cerebral palsy is largely dependent upon the extent of brain damage involved. In general, treatment for cerebral palsy usually includes physiotherapy, speech therapy, medications, surgery, biofeedback, and special education.