Cerebral palsy is a condition that occurs during the development of the fetal brain, usually beginning in utero (in the womb) or shortly after birth. It can be caused by infection during pregnancy, a stroke in utero, during birth, or shortly after birth (perinatal stroke), premature birth, or a birth injury caused by a lack of oxygen during delivery. Cerebral palsy results in weakness or paralysis in some muscles, and in some cases, spasticity (or tension) in others. 

Symptoms of cerebral palsy usually appear during early childhood and most children are diagnosed between six months and two years of age. Globally, the incidence of cerebral palsy is between 1.6 to 3.4 per 1000 live births, but in countries like the UK rates of cerebral palsy are dropping because of access to regular prenatal care, vaccinations, and available medical interventions to prevent premature delivery.

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