Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term for a type of motor disorder (a form of physical disability) caused by damage to the immature or developing brain that occurs before, during or immediately after the birth of the child. The type of cerebral palsy, and its severity, depends upon the size, location and timing of the brain damage.
The current UK incidence rate is about 1 in 400 births (which means about 1,800 children, from all social backgrounds and ethnic groups, are diagnosed every year, and about 250 per year in the region in which Pace is based). Common risk factors include premature and multiple births. Cerebral palsy is often not diagnosed until developmental milestones are observed to be delayed (typically 3-18 months).