Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a motor disability caused by a non-progressive disturbance in the developing brain. The diagnosis of cerebral palsy should be made in the first year of life. The evaluation of etiology includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain but may involve biochemical or genetic testing in some cases. Cerebral palsy is classified based on severity, motor type, and distribution. Comorbidities are common and should be systematically assessed, with particular attention to orthopedic complications, feeding, communication disorders, pain, sleep disorders, and mental health problems. The primary care physician plays a crucial role in medical homes for children with cerebral palsy, though interdisciplinary management is often needed. Rehabilitation therapies should start early, and treatment of tone and movement disorders should be considered if they impact function, comfort, or quality of life. Regarding prognosis, most children who sit by the age of 2 years eventually achieve independent ambulation. The strongest predictors of mortality are dysphagia and decreased gross motor function.