Condition
Pediatric Cerebral Palsy
Key Points About Cerebral Palsy in Children
- Cerebral palsy is a brain (neurological) disorder that causes problems with normal motor function. It affects body movement, muscle control, coordination, reflexes, posture, and balance.
- In many cases, the exact cause of cerebral palsy isn't known. Most cases happen before or during birth (congenital cerebral palsy). Cerebral palsy that occurs after birth usually happens from an infection or head injury.
- Cerebral palsy can range in severity, but it doesn’t get worse over time. With diagnosis and treatment, children can learn how to manage their condition.
- Symptoms can vary in each child and depend on the severity of cerebral palsy. Many children with cerebral palsy have normal intelligence. A child may have muscle weakness, poor motor control, or shaking (spasticity) of the arms or legs. A child may also have stiff legs or clenched fists.
- Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that doesn't have a cure. A child is treated by a healthcare team. Treatment may include rehab, positioning aids, braces, splints, medicines or surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Meet the Providers Who Treat Cerebral Palsy
Departments that Treat Cerebral Palsy
![Little Girl with Cerebral Palsy sitting in her wheel chair.](/-/media/cnhs-site/images/brand-images/girl-with-cerebral-palsy.jpg)
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
The Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation treats and monitors infants, children and teens at all stages of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative care.
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Limb Lengthening
Using a family-centered approach, Children's National delivers specialized care to help children with limb length discrepancies achieve equal limb length.
![Young Girl Smiling with Arms Up](/-/media/cnhs-site/images/brand-images/young-girl-smiling-with-arms-up.jpg)
Movement Disorders Program
The Movement Disorders Program at Children's National Hospital offers evaluation, diagnosis and treatment to more than 400 children each year with conditions that affect the speed, quality and ease of their movement.