Living with Spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy
An inherited form of cerebral palsy with stiff muscles in all four limbs from early life.
Understanding Spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy
It causes stiff muscles (spasticity) in all four limbs that does not worsen over time. It occurs in several family members without birth complications such as lack of oxygen or infection. Other features include low muscle tone at birth, intellectual disability and developmental delay. Trouble swallowing and speaking, eye differences and seizures can also occur. It starts in the newborn and infant period.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list a separate symptom list for this condition. Based on its summary, features include:
- Stiff muscles in all four limbs
- Low muscle tone at birth
- Intellectual disability
- Developmental delay
- Trouble swallowing and speaking
- Seizures
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with United Cerebral Palsy
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says changes in genes cause this condition, and it runs in families. A child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent (autosomal recessive).
Also known as: inherited congenital spastic quadriplegia; inherited congenital spastic tetraplegia; quadriplegic infantile cerebral palsy; slowly progressive spastic quadriparesis; spastic quadriplegia; spastic tetraplegia
Patient organizations
- United Cerebral PalsySpastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
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