Over 25 lakh children affected by Cerebral Palsy, say doctors

Cerebral Palsy, a condition that causes physical disability in human development, has disabled more than 25 lakh children in India and is rapidly spreading in rural parts of the country, doctors said here.

Addressing a seminar in Noida at BR Ambedkar Hospital, doctors called for timely medical action and better awareness on the issue.

"More than 90% of cerebral palsy patients with physical disability can lead a normal life with early diagnosis and proper medical treatment," Veena Kalra, Specialist Paediatric, Neurology and Ex Professor & Head Pediatrics, AIIMS said.

Kalra said school administrators should include Cerebral Palsy affected children in mainstream education which will also change the perception of their able bodied peers.

"Contrary to popular belief, most children with CP have average or above average intelligence. School administrators should include disabled children in mainstream education," she said.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is caused due to damage occurred to the developing brain either when baby is still in the mother's womb or around the time of birth.

Three out of every 1,000 children in our country are affected by cerebral palsy, doctors claimed.

If CP is not detected at an early stage and treated properly, there is a much greater chance of losing independent mobility in adult life, they said.