What causes cerebral palsy?

What causes cerebral palsy?

CP results from damage to the developing brain. The damage can happen in the womb, during birth or in the first two years of a baby’s life. In many cases, providers don’t know what caused the brain damage.

Several factors can influence a baby’s risk of having cerebral palsy. Babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks) or with low birth weight have a higher risk. Brain damage that leads to CP can result from:

• Complications during birth: A small number of babies with CP develop the condition because of a birth injury. Several complications during childbirth can block oxygen flow to the baby, which can cause CP.
• Infection: Infections during pregnancy, such as toxoplasmosis or rubella (German measles), can cause brain damage that leads to CP. Diseases such as meningitis and encephalitis during the first two years of life can also lead to CP.
• Injury or disease: A baby who has a head injury or stroke during the first two years may develop cerebral palsy. Babies who have sickle cell disease, blood clotting disorders or heart conditions have a higher chance of CP.
• Jaundice in newborns: Without treatment, severe jaundice can cause brain damage in newborns. Jaundice causes the skin and whites of the eyes to appear yellow. When a pregnant woman lacks a blood protein (Rh factor) and her baby has the protein, severe jaundice and other complications can occur.