Cerebral palsy.

To be classified as cerebral palsy (CP), there must be difficulty in neuromotor control, a nonprogressive brain lesion, and an injury to the brain that occurred before it was fully mature. The term ‘ ‘cerebral palsy” should be used only if a static encephalopathy exists. If there is any question that a progressive central nervous system disorder exists, the term “cerebral palsy” should not be used diagnostically until the status of the lesion is clarified. Although the primary abnormality must be a motor deficit, often there are many associated symptoms of cerebral dysfunction present.