Cerebral Palsy Statistics

Cerebral Palsy Statistics Show Scope of Children and Families Affected by This Disease

Look into a crowd of 1,000 children in the U.S., and statistics indicate that at least two of those children will be affected in some way by cerebral palsy, the term given to a group of disorders that causeand muscle disfunction. Almost one in two children afflicted with cerebral palsy will suffer from a severe case that limits their intelligence or mobility or both. It is the second leading cause of disability in children after autism.

According to United Cerebral Palsy, the main support network for this disorder, between 750,000 and 800,000 children and adults in the U.S. currently have cerebral palsy symptoms, with approximately 10,000 infants developing CP annually. The cause is rooted in some sort of damage to the brain causing infection or injury either before, during or after delivery, although many children are not officially diagnosed until they are several years old. Multiple births such as twins and triplets as well as premature babies with low birth weight rank highest in being susceptible to being affected by cerebral palsy.

About two-thirds of children with cerebral palsy are not only physically developmentally disabled, but also have some sort of mental impairment. There are six major symptoms of cerebral palsy: muscle spasms and tightness, seizures, clumsiness in walking and overall mobility, distorted sensation and perceptions, and impaired hearing, speech or eyesight. Almost one in every three cerebral palsy patients demonstrates seizures. About 50% of both adults and children with cerebral palsy must use some sort of device to assist them in getting through their day, ranging from walkers and wheelchairs to leg braces to increase their level of mobility.

There are seven types of cerebral palsy, depending on the severity of the disability and the parts of the brain that have been damaged. Spastic cerebral palsy, the most common, is characterized by muscles that are rigid and jerky. Athetoid Dyskenetic cerebral palsy does not affect the patient's intelligence, but does affect muscle tone and control, resulting in difficulty speaking, sitting and walking.

Ataxic cerebral palsy, the least common disorder, is characterized by tremors and difficulty doing even simple motor skills like buttoning a jacket. Hypotonic cerebral palsy is the easiest to recognize early in babies, who often show an inability to raise their heads or control their body movement. Congenital cerebral palsy and mixed cerebral palsy have symptoms that do not match other kinds of palsy, and Erb's palsy results in no muscle control of the arms.

Cerebral palsy impacts the families of those affected by it, with care costs averaging over $50,000 annually. But figures and statistics are only part of the story of how families are affected when a family member lives with cerebral palsy, which can last throughout the person's lifetime.

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) has been the first and foremost advocate for both children and adults with cerebral palsy since its founding in 1949. UCP serves more than 176,000 patients annually, providing a variety of support services ranging from physical therapy and psychological counseling to employment and housing assistance, social and recreational programs, and both individual and family support.