Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders involving loss of movement or other nerve functions. These disorders are caused by injuries to the brain that happen before birth or near the time of birth. The injuries are found in the cerebrum—the largest part of the brain, which is involved in higher mental faculties, sensations, and voluntary muscle activities.

Symptoms of cerebral palsy include:

  Seizures
  Muscle contractions
  Spasticity in one or more limbs
  Loss of movement (paralysis)
  Speech, visual, and hearing abnormalities
  Difficulty sucking or feeding
  Irregular breathing
  Delayed development of motor skills, such as reaching, sitting, and crawling
  Mental impairment
  Progressive joint contractures
  Limited range of motion
  Peg teeth