Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Because no two cases of cerebral palsy are exactly the same, and because the term 'cerebral palsy' refers to a group of related muscle disorders, the exact causes of most cases are not known. These are some of the known common causes:

• Oxygen or blood deprivation during birth.
• Infections that affect the brain, such as meningitis.
• Complications arising from premature birth.
• Genetic disorders related to brain development.
• Severe head trauma.

Cases of cerebral palsy can be broken down as follows:

Acquired Cerebral Palsy:

• 10-20% of children with cerebral palsy develop it after birth.
• Caused by early brain damage infections like bacterial meningitis.
• Caused by severe head trauma from an accident or fall.

Congenital Cerebral Palsy:

• This type is present at birth, and the specific cause is often unknown.
• May be undetected for months.
• Birth complications during labor and delivery can harm the developing brain and cause cerebral palsy in a minority of congenital cases.

Hemorrhage:

• Bleeding (hemorrhage) can occur during pregnancy or around the time of birth.
• Clogged or abnormal blood vessels in the fetal brain can cause a variety of neurological problems, including cerebral palsy.
• Respiratory distress in the fetus can also lead to hemorrhage.

Infections During Pregnancy:

• German measles (aka Rubella)
• Meningitis
• Cytomegalovirus

Oxygen Deprivation:

• Deprivation of oxygen to the brain (known as asphyxia) during labor or delivery.
• Accounts for a minority of cerebral palsy cases.