Childhood hemiplegia is a condition affecting one side of the child's body. It is caused by damage to some part of the brain, which may happen before, during or soon after birth, when it is known as congenital hemiplegia; or later, as a result of accident or illness, when it is known as acquired hemiplegia. The condition affects approximately one child in a thousand.

The most obvious result of childhood hemiplegia is weakness or stiffness and lack of control in the affected side of the body. The child may have little use of one hand, may limp or have poor balance. The weakness may often be associated with spasticity (stiffness or tightness of the muscle). Some children with hemiplegia have additional medical problems such as speech difficulties, visual field defects or epilepsy. Many others have less obvious additional difficulties, such as perceptual problems, specific learning difficulties, or emotional and behavioural problems, which may be more frustrating and disabling than their physical problems.

Inheritance patterns
In general none. However, in one or two very rare instances there may be a genetic factor.

Prenatal diagnosis
None

Medical text written October 1999 by Hemi-Help. Approved October 1999 by Professor Robert Goodman. Last reviewed January 2004 by Professor Robert Goodman, Professor of Brain and Behaviour, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.

HEMIHELP

HemiHelp
Camelford House
89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP
Tel: 0845 123 2372 Helpline (Mon - Fri, 10am - 1pm )
Tel: 0845 120 3713 (Office)
Fax: 0845 120 3723
e-mail: support@hemihelp.org.uk
Web Site http://www.hemihelp.org.uk

HemiHelp is a National Registered charity No. 1085349, established in 1991 for children and young people with hemiplegia. It offers information and support by telephone, letter, e-mail and the website and holds regular conferences on topics of interest to parents/carers and professional workers. It publishes a quarterly newsletter and has a wide range of information available, details on request. HemiHelp has over 3,000 families and professional members.

Group details last confirmed February 2008.