Cerebral Palsy - Prognosis

Cerebral palsy is a nonprogressive disorder that does not become worse or better over time. However, it does pose different kinds of problems at different stages of life. Treatments that are devised for children with CP usually have to be changed and adjusted as the person grows older. Some form of professional help is usually needed at every stage of the disorder.

Cerebral palsy itself is generally not the cause of death. However, it can shorten a person's life span for other, related reasons. For example, lung infections that can lead to pneumonia (see pneumonia entry) and other diseases are more common among people with CP. Poor nutrition can also contribute to the likelihood of infection. Overall, more than 90 percent of infants with CP survive to adulthood, and the vast majority with mild symptoms live near-normal lifespans.