What is cerebral palsy? (1) "Cerebral Palsy is a term used to describe a group of chronic conditions affecting body movement and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development; before, during or shortly following birth; or during infancy.
             "Cerebral" refers to the brain and "palsy" to muscle weakness or poor condition which is often but not always a symptom. Cerebral palsy can be severe, such as total inability to control body movements, or mild such as slight speech impairment. Depending upon which areas of the brain have been damaged, one or more of the following may occur:
             · Disturbance in gait and mobility
             In addition, the following may occur: abnormal sensation and perception; impairment of sight, hearing of speech; seizures; and mental retardation."
             So what are the causes of cerebral palsy? (2) " Cerebral palsy results from an abnormality in areas of the brain that control motor function. Even though cerebral palsy affects the muscles, the underlying problem originates in the brain, not in the muscles themselves. In some people with cerebral palsy, a specific reason for neurological problem is evident. For example, cerebral palsy can develop following meningitis. For most children with cerebral palsy, however, there is no clear explanation."
             For many years it was thought that cerebral palsy was closely linked with events occurring during labor and birth. Now it is believed that this is less frequently the reason. The many possible causes of cerebral palsy now include: abnormal brain development, insufficient circulation to areas of the brain either before or following birth, infection in or beside the brain, bleeding in the brain, biochemical or genetic factors or other causes that remain unknown.
             Recent research suggests that some cases of cerebral palsy might arise as an i...