What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy [CP] is a neurological impairment. It occurs by an injury to the brain during, before or after birth. “Cerebral” refers to the brain and palsy” to the lack of motor control. If a child has cerebral palsy it means that part of the brain has not developed normally. CP includes various kinds of disabilities, such as difficulty in coordinated and alternate movements, abnormal movements and postures, and difficulty in keeping the body in antigravity postures.
Magnitude of problem and Current Scenario in India
- The incidence of CP is 2-4 cases per 1000 live births (A recent study shows that the index of Cerebral Palsy is one in 274 live birth in India.)
- There are an estimated 2.5 million children and people in India with CP, making it the commonest cause of disability.
