Which statement about cerebral palsy is true?

Which statement about cerebral palsy is true?

• A. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease
• B. It only affects intellectual ability
• C. It is non-progressive, though secondary muscle-related conditions may fluctuate
• D. It results from a temporary brain injury in infancy

Answer: (C)

Cerebral palsy is caused by brain injury or abnormal development that happens before or around birth. The important point is that the brain injury itself does not get worse over time, so CP is non-progressive. Yet secondary muscle-related problems—such as spasticity, contractures, or scoliosis—can develop or change as a person grows, which can make the symptoms seem to fluctuate. That’s why the statement describing CP as non-progressive, with secondary muscle-related conditions that may fluctuate, is true. The other ideas don’t fit: CP is not a progressive neurodegenerative disease, it affects movement and posture in addition to or instead of intellect, and it results from a lasting brain injury or developmental issue in early life, not a temporary injury.

Cerebral palsy is caused by brain injury or abnormal development that happens before or around birth. The important point is that the brain injury itself does not get worse over time, so CP is non-progressive. Yet secondary muscle-related problems—such as spasticity, contractures, or scoliosis—can develop or change as a person grows, which can make the symptoms seem to fluctuate. That’s why the statement describing CP as non-progressive, with secondary muscle-related conditions that may fluctuate, is true. The other ideas don’t fit: CP is not a progressive neurodegenerative disease, it affects movement and posture in addition to or instead of intellect, and it results from a lasting brain injury or developmental issue in early life, not a temporary injury.