Hemiplegia in infants and children is a type of Cerebral Palsy that results from damage to the part (hemisphere) of the brain that controls muscle movements. This damage may occur before, during or shortly after birth.

The term hemiplegia means that the paralysis is on one vertical half of the body. A similar medical term, hemiparesis, means a weakness on one side of the body. In children with hemiplegia, the paralysis in the body occurs on the side opposite the affected part of the brain.

For example, if the left side of the child’s brain is injured, then the paralysis will be on the right side of the child’s body.