CEREBRAL PALSY IN THE INFANT AND CHILD

During infancy and early childhood, the child is completely dependent on others for his or her safety and protection. Protecting the child from injury is one of the most important responsibilities of the

child's caregivers. One such injury is asphyxia, which can damage the brain in a variety of ways,

and is the number one cause of CP in this age group. The three most common causes of asphyxia in the young child are: choking on foreign objects such as toys and pieces of food (including peanuts, popcorn, and hot dogs); poisoning; and near drowning. The brain may also be damaged when it is physically traumatized as a result of a blow to the head. A child who falls or is involved in a motor vehicle accident or is the victim of physical abuse may suffer irreparable injury to the brain. One form of child abuse is the shaken baby syndrome, in which the caretaker is trying to quiet the baby by shaking too vigorously, causing the brain to strike repeatedly against the skull under high pressure.

Severe infections, especially meningitis or encephalitis, can also lead to brain damage in this age group. Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges ( the covering of the brain and the spinal cord), usually caused by a bacterial infection, and encephalitis is brain inflammation which may be caused by bacterial or viral infections. Either of these infections can cause disabilities ranging from hearing loss to CP to severe retardation.