Current understandings and challenges in the management of cerebral palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy is a long recognized ''symptom-complex'' that is the most common cause of childhood physical impairment. A neurodevelopmental disability sub-type, it has an essential core of objective neuro-motor impairment and its present conceptualization includes explicit recognition of activity limitations and varying associated co-morbidities. This review explores this disorder's incidence, risk factors, complementary classification schemes, clinical evaluation, spectrum of heterogeneous causal etiologies, management challenges related to associated spasticity, movement disorders and co-existing conditions, outcomes and lifespan related changes. The goal of this review was to improve the clinician's understanding of what is presently known regarding cerebral palsy, its clinical challenges and appropriate case management.