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Causes of CP
For most cases of cerebral palsy, the definite cause is not known. Any factor that causes low birth weight or premature birth increases the likelihood of a child being diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Premature infants are at a higher risk of intra-cerebral hemorrhage or infarct, which is bleeding in the brain that causes damage to the brain tissue. Only about 10% of cases of cerebral palsy are attributable to intra-partum asphyxia, or loss of oxygen during the birth process. Current technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed axial tomography (CAT scans) have shown that many cases of cerebral palsy are probably prenatal in origin. Recently, intra-uterine infection, which cannot be detected during pregnancy, has been suggested to play a role.
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Although the following factors are associated with cerebral palsy, having one or more of these factors does not necessarily predict that a child will be diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The parents of the many of the children eventually diagnosed with cerebral palsy report normal pregnancy and delivery.
The factors associated with cerebral palsy include:
• Low birth weight
• Prematurity
• Multiple birth, such as twins or triplets (twins account for 2% of the population but 10% of all cases of cerebral palsy)
• Metabolic disorders
• An infection or damage to the placenta
• Rh or other blood factor incompatibility between mother and child leading to an increase in bilirubin in the infant
• Brain malformation
• Dehydration or poor nutrition during pregnancy
• Exposure to alcohol, drugs or other toxic substances during pregnancy
• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Biochemical genetic disorders
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Cerebral palsy can occur to an otherwise healthy child if there is an injury to the brain during early development. Examples of this include:
• Infections such as meningitis
• Brain injury following a fall, car accident or abuse
• Near-drowning accident
• Poisoning
• Prolonged seizures
• Brain hemorrhage or stroke
• Any event which causes lack of oxygen to the brain
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