Cerebral palsy is a set of movement and postural disorders that can cause activity limitations, of which the etiology is attributed to non-progressive lesions of the developing central nervous system during the fetal or infantile stage. It is not progressive, it does not disappear, but its manifestation can be modified.

The ABC’s of
cerebral palsy

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Incidence


The incidence of cerebral palsy in Nuevo León, Mexico is 4.4 per 1,000 births.  (Nuevo Amanecer Clinical Research Study 2017-2021)


Worldwide,  3 out of 1000 kids have cerebral palsy and it’s the most common childhood physical disability. (American Academy of Cerebral Palsy) 


Approximately  17 million people  in the world have cerebral palsy.

The medical costs are about 10 times higher for children with cerebral palsy and about 26 times higher if an intellectual disability is present.(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Causes

Prenatal: Maternal urinary tract infection, low weight for gestational age, prenatal bleeding, congenital anomalies, etc.

Perinatal: Birth weight less than 2.5 kg, prematurity, neonatal respiratory failure, generalized neonatal infection, premature rupture of the membrane, blood pH alterations, neonatal hemorrhage, etc.

Postnatal: Hydrocephalus, meningitis, encephalitis, brain infections, accidental blows to the head, etc.

Myths & Realities

Myth

Reality

People with cerebral palsy have an intellectual disability.

Some people with cerebral palsy have normal intelligence or above average.

People with cerebral palsy have no access to education.

No two people are alike and the same is true for people with cerebral palsy, while some do have cognitive problems, and others do not and can learn like anyone else.

People with cerebral palsy cannot work.

Many kids with this disability grow up to be adults and can be productive and talented people in society.

People with cerebral palsy can't do sports.

Not all people with cerebral palsy are affected in the same way. There are different types and levels of impairment that vary from person to person. Not everyone is in a wheelchair or unable to walk so they can play sports adapted for people with motor disabilities.

People with cerebral palsy can't form a family.

Many people with cerebral palsy have married and had children.