Cerebral Palsy

Though sometimes thought to be a condition of the nerves or muscles, cerebral palsy (CP) is actually caused by abnormalities in the parts of the brain that control muscle movement. CP can include any one of a number of neurological disorders that permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination, but does not worsen over time. Common symptoms are:

• ataxia (unsteadiness)
• spasticity  (stiff or tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes)
• walking with one foot or leg dragging
• walking on the toes
• a crouched or scissored gait
• muscle tone that is either too stiff or too floppy

CP symptoms can range from mild to severe, but they generally appear in infancy or early childhood, and typically before age three. Cerebral palsy can be caused by developmental brain malformation; brain injury before, during, or after birth; or brain infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis.

The Nemours Difference

Children with complex conditions like CP often need to see many specialists, most of whom you’ll have access to here on the hospital campus. Usually a family can come and see orthopedic and other specialists on a single day.  

We are prepared with a unified team of medical and support services for children of all ages. Our Cerebral Palsy Program offers the expertise of a wide array of pediatric medical and allied health professionals, including:

• a team of neurologists, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists
• an on-site clinical nurse specialist to coordinate all services
• a social worker and a nutritionist for consultation and treatment as needed

We’ll be with you every step of the way, working with your family and your child’s other doctors to ensure that your child is able to maintain maximum functionality while experiencing minimal pain and discomfort.

As a leader in the field, we have cared for children from many different states and beyond.  

The Gait and Motion Analysis Lab at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children offers comprehensive analysis of a child’s walk to help determine the best possible treatment options.  

For reducing muscle spasticity, many of our patients have benefited from the use of a Baclofen pump. This is a pump placed inside the abdomen that releases Baclofen, a muscle relaxant, into the area around the spinal cord.

Conditions We Treat

• cerebral palsy
• seizures
• poor nutrition
• spasticity
• drooling
• fractures

Services We Offer

• surgical management
  
• speech therapy evaluation and treatment
• occupational therapy evaluation and treatment
• physical therapy evaluation and treatment
• rehabilitation therapy evaluation and treatment
• hearing tests
• spasticity evaluation and treatment
• bracing
• on-site wheelchair, splint, and repair clinic
• gait analysis