Cerebal palsy, more commonly called cerebral palsy is a disability that occurs because of brain damage. This may happen during or before childbirth. It can happen in the early years of a child's life as well. The injury often results in a loss of voluntary muscular control and a loss of the individual's coordination. There is no known cause of cerebral palsy but it is a belief that some types of disease, such as rubella or genital herpes simplex, can lead to the incidents. In addition, a low birth weight or injury at the time of birth may be the cause. In some situations, physical abuse may lead to cerebral palsy. Some research suggests that it is a cause of maternal smoking, the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy and the ingestion of some drugs.