Cerebral palsy: introduction and diagnosis (part I).

Cerebral palsy (CP), a static, nonprogressive disorder caused by brain insult or injury in the prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal time period, is the major developmental disability affecting function in children. It is characterized by the inability to normally control motor functions, and it has the potential to have an effect on the overall development of a child by affecting the child's ability to explore, speak, learn, and become independent. Effective management can improve the quality of life for the child and family. The first step for the nurse practitioner is to understand the definition of CP and how to make the diagnosis. This article is part one of two articles on CP. The first article will focus on the diagnosis of CP, and the second will focus on a review of systems approach for management as well as resources for the family and practitioner.