[Cerebral palsy (I)--an analysis of the concept]

A review of the literature reveals that, until now, there is no clear and commonly accepted definition of the term 'cerebral palsy' (CP). The term is used for different kinds of symptomatology and pathogenesis which are actually quite heterogeneous. A detailed analysis of the criteria for defining indicates that a clear definition is impossible. The contradictions inherent in this term arise form the fact that its usage covers a wide range of clinical and pathogenetic essentials which are often incompatible. The term 'CP' is valuable only from the administrative and therapeutic point of view. But as it is often wrongly interpreted as a diagnosis it should no longer be used in medical and scientific communication.