CIPA stands for Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis, which is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of the nervous system that prevents the feeling of pain or temperature, and prevents a person from sweating. It is caused by a genetic mutation that prevents the formation of nerve cells responsible for transmitting signals of pain, heat, and cold to the brain. The absence of pain experienced by people with CIPA puts them at high risk for accidental self-injury, and joint and bone problems are common due to repeated injuries. Wounds heal poorly, and delayed developmental milestones in early years may be observed. Patients often have severe learning difficulties, irritability, hyperactivity, and cognitive impairment, but patients with normal intelligence have also been reported. There is no treatment for CIPA, and attention to injuries to prevent infection and worsening is necessary.

It is important to note that CIPA can also refer to the Childrens Internet Protection Act, which was enacted by Congress in 2000 to address concerns about childrens access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet. This law places restrictions on the use of funding that is received by schools and libraries, and schools subject to CIPA have two additional certification requirements.