Does Cerebral Palsy Get Worse With Age?

Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive disorder, meaning it won't get worse over time. The life expectancy of a person with cerebral palsy is comparable to that of the general population, and the condition itself does not worsen with age. However, symptoms associated with cerebral palsy may evolve or become more severe as time passes. Aging can bring special challenges for individuals with cerebral palsy.

While the disorder itself is non-degenerative, a lifetime of physical deterioration can cause people with cerebral palsy to experience the effects of age earlier than those without the condition. The progression of cerebral palsy in adults is usually due to accelerated aging. People with cerebral palsy spend their entire lives fighting their disability, which means they may start to feel the effects of aging sooner than others. Fortunately, advances in the management and treatment of cerebral palsy have resulted in a life expectancy for those with the condition that is nearly equal to that of the general population.

Unfortunately, cerebral palsy often occurs as a result of preventable congenital injuries, in which doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers present during childbirth or shortly after birth do not meet their legal obligations to provide an acceptable level of care. Since only in recent decades have children with cerebral palsy started to live longer into adulthood, there is little research that focuses on the effects of aging on people with cerebral palsy. One of the topics most discussed by adults in the community of people with cerebral palsy is functional impairment and its prevention and treatment. Researchers studying cerebral palsy have recently begun to raise awareness of the need for this type of study.

If a loved one has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it's natural to want to know how this will affect their outlook throughout their life. Cerebral palsy occurs when the brain develops abnormally or when it is damaged in areas responsible for movement, posture, and balance. If a child has cerebral palsy, they will usually start to show symptoms in the first or second year of life. Grip strength is an established health biomarker, but there is little research on how this applies to the community of people with cerebral palsy.

He is studying the possibility of using grip strength to assess body composition in people with cerebral palsy. The population of adults diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) is increasing along with the survival rate of children born with this disability. Advances in medical care have enabled children with cerebral palsy to live full and long lives. However, it's important to remember that cerebral palsy will affect your child throughout their life. If you have questions or think you may have a legal case, contact the cerebral palsy family lawyers at Janet, Janet & Suggs, LLC today.