Nothing can prepare parents for the pain and shock of being told their child has cerebral palsy. There is not much a doctor or medical professional can say to lessen the grief that comes with receiving such a diagnosis for one's baby. However, the services of cerebral palsy support groups for parents are beneficial to such individuals.

According to the Cerebral Palsy Association, as many as one million people in the United States alone are afflicted with this disorder. Every year, approximately 10,000 infants are born with some type of the disease. Such news can be devastating to receive, and this is why the aforementioned support groups are invaluable to such individuals.

There are over 200 groups of this kind that one can join on the Internet, or he or she can attend such a meeting in person. Regardless of one's personal choice, all groups of this kind typically offer up-to-date news about this catastrophic illness, as well as advice, education, and inspiration.

Cerebral palsy refers to a group of neuromuscular disorders that are currently incurable. They affect the person's ability to maintain his or her balance and coordination, and cause abnormal body movements. Those who suffer from the disorder are typically diagnosed as babies, and the condition itself is almost always caused by birth injury. However, a person may also develop the disorder due to other causes.

Cerebral palsy may be caused by oxygen deprivation in the brain of the unborn infant. It may also be caused by a poor blood supply to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy. Such things can occur for various reasons, such as hereditary abnormalities that cause poor oxygen or blood supply.

In some cases, a viral or bacterial infection is spread to the infant during the mother's pregnancy. Unfortunately, this exposes the fetus to toxins and other substances that may result in brain injury. Even diabetes or anemia can put an unborn baby at risk for the disorder.

As previously mentioned, the condition is most commonly caused by an injury sustained during delivery. The latter may be caused by negligence on the part of the delivering physician who may have used forceps improperly to position the baby in the vaginal canal, thus damaging the infant's brain. However, it can also be the result of a breach birth, even if a C-section is performed when this was discovered: unfortunately, if the child is stuck in a wrong position for too long prior to the C-section, brain damage can occur.

Youngsters suffering from this disorder may experience spastic muscle twitching, or they may be able to move one side of their body better than the other. In many cases, the child will close his or her hands into fists for lengthy amounts of time. It is sometimes challenging to feed infants with this disorder, as they may have a difficult time swallowing or sucking.

Fortunately, individuals can enhance their coping skills and work toward a higher quality of life when they avail themselves of the services of cerebral palsy support groups for parents. Although having a disabled child is a painful and devastating occurrence, support groups can definitely help men and women faced with such circumstances to stay as positive as possible. Those with youngsters suffering from this condition are wise to seek such assistance.