What is Cerebral Palsy (CP)?

Cerebral = “of the brain”

Palsy = “lack of muscle control”

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a term used to describe a group of disorders affecting body movement and muscle co-ordination. The medical definition of CP is “a non-progressive but not unchanging disorder of movement and/or posture, due to an insult to or anomaly of the developing brain.”

Development of the brain starts in early pregnancy and continues until about age three. Damage to the brain during this time may result in CP. This damage interferes with messages from the brain to the body, and from the body to the brain.

The effects of CP vary widely from individual to individual. At its mildest, CP may result in a slight awkwardness of movement or hand control. At its most severe, CP may result in virtually no muscle control, profoundly affecting movement and speech.

Cerebral Palsy is: NOT contagious NOT hereditary NOT life-threatening NOT automatic mental retardation Person with CP does not necessary mean that he/she is mentally retarded. People with CP enjoy satisfying careers, university education, social life and become parents.

Global Statistics

It is difficult to estimate exactly how many people have CP. Many people with mild CP are never diagnosed, while others may have multiple disabilities which overshadow their CP.

It is estimated that one out of every 500 babies, and up to one in three premature babies are affected to some extent.

Cerebral Palsy in China

It is estimated that there are 310,000 children with cerebral palsy in China. The survival of low birth weight infants is lower in China than in developed countries, and as the survival of low birth weight infants improves the prevalence of CP will rise.

In China, the percentage of babies born with CP runs from 0.18% - 0.59%, i.e. there are approximately 5 babies with CP for every 1,000 babies born.

Schools by law are required to accept handicapped children. Unfortunately there is no wheelchair access, no handicapped facilities in restroom; it is therefore impossible for anyone with a physical handicap to attend a normal school.

Traditional Treatment

CP is not considered to be a curable condition. Much, however, can be done to lessen the effect of CP and to help people with CP to lead independent lives. Treatment is guided by the symptoms exhibited and may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, casts, splints, braces, appropriate glasses and hearing aids, medications, special education and in severe cases, orthopaedic and soft-tissue surgery and/or institutionalization.

CereCare’s Treatment

We believe that each child should have an individualized treatment plan which assesses the child's performance, sets goals and specifies which supports are required. The key elements to minimizing the handicapping effects of CP are:

• Proper management and treatment
• An environment which give the children with CP a good sense of self-esteem.
• To have educational opportunities and to have access to recreational facilities and opportunities to develop friendships.