Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affecting movement and muscle posture. These conditions are caused by damage that occurs to the immature, developing brain, most often before birth. Common symptoms of cerebral palsy include exaggerated reflexes, stiff muscles with normal reflexes, lack of balance and muscle coordination, jerky involuntary movements, and writhing movements. It is important to note that signs and symptoms appear during infancy or preschool years. It is causes impaired movement associated with exaggerated reflexes, floppiness or spasticity of the limbs and trunk, unusual posture, involuntary movements, unsteady walking, or some combination of these. People with this condition can have problems swallowing and commonly have eye muscle imbalance, in which the eyes don’t focus on the same object.

The condition is associated with abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain. The exact cause and effect of cerebral palsy vary greatly. For instance, some people with cerebral palsy can walk wile others need assistance. Similarly, some people have intellectual disabilities while others do not. In other people still, epilepsy, blindness or deafness also might be present. It is also important to mention that the condition is a lifelong disorder and that there is no cure. However, treatments can help improve function. This usually happens before a child is born, but it can occur at birth or in early infancy. In many cases, the cause isn’t known. Many factors can lead to problems with brain development.

Toxic exposures during pregnancy can increase cerebral palsy risk to the baby. Inflammation triggered by infection or fever can damage the unborn baby’s developing brain.  Cytomegalovirus is a common virus that causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to birth defects if a mother has her first active infection during pregnancy. German measles can be prevented with a vaccine.