Cerebral Palsy Causes

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"Understanding the different causes of cerebral palsy"

There are many possible causes of cerebral palsy.

In the past, doctors attributed most cases of cerebral palsy to problems or complications during labor that caused asphyxia.

Research shows that only 5 to 10 percent is due to birth complications.

The majority is caused by something that damages the baby’s brain while he or she is still in the womb.

Cerebral Palsy Causes during Pregnancy (Congenital Cerebral Palsy)

Genetic problems. - Genetic defects that prevent normal development of the brain may contribute to brain malformations. Hereditary blood clotting disorders will also increase the risk of cerebral palsy.
Infections like Rubella (German measles) and toxoplasmosis contracted by the mother during pregnancy. If you haven’t had a shot against German measles make sure you get one before you get pregnant. The rubella virus may cause brain damage to the baby if contracted during pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis is a parasite that can be contracted by cat litter, soil, undercooked meat and unwashed fruits and vegetables.

Alcohol abuse of the mother can have a catastrophic effect on the developing brain of the fetus. This is one of the cerebral palsy causes that can easily be prevented. If you smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs, you are putting your child at risk of serious health problems of the nervous system, blood vessels, and internal organs. Do not expose your unborn child to those potential hazards.
Malnutrition- A lack of nutrition in the pregnant mother may cause damage to the developing brain of her baby. The low iodine levels in the soil of certain developing countries causes iodine deficiency. Lack of Iodine in early pregnancy may cause spastic diplegia. But also many fats or fatty acids are vital for the growth of a healthy embryo.
Poisoning like methyl mercury poisoning. This can happen after consumption of certain types of fish and shellfish. A baby still in the womb exposed to mercury is at risk of severe damage to the brain and spinal cord.
Abnormal maternal thyroid function during pregnancy is a risk factor for Cerebral Palsy.
Trauma to the head of the unborn fetus.
Bleeding of the brain (or stroke) by blocked or broken blood vessels can damage parts of the brain of the fetus. Both high blood pressure and very low blood pressure in the mother can cause a fetal stroke

Cerebral Palsy Causes at Birth

Asphyxia just before birth or during the birthing process. Lack of oxygen destroys the delicate brain tissue of the unborn child. If a delivery takes too long the chances of asphyxia (oxygen shortage) increases. But also rupture of the uterus, problems with the umbilical cord, or detachment of the placenta can cause severe lack of oxygen in the fetus.
Rh-incompatibility- In many countries babies get routinely checked for Rh incompatibility . When the mother is Rh-negative and her baby is Rh-positive she will be an Rh-immune globulinshot around 28 weeks gestation and again after her baby is born. Without this shot a baby may develop severe jaundice and kernicterus. Kernicterus is a serious condition that can leave your baby brain damaged if not treated in time.

Premature babies are more at risk of hypoxic injury to the brain. Because of their immature and not yet completely developed lungs there is less oxygen delivered to the brain. The premature brain is also at a high risk of bleeding; Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). This usually happens in the first three days of life. Mild bleedings will often be absorbed by the body but severe bleeding can lead to brain damage and cerebral palsy.
Traumatic birth injuries during a difficult delivery.When a forceps delivery or vacuum extraction is not done properly it could injure the newborn's brain.

Cerebral Palsy Causes in the First Years of Life (Acquired Cerebral Palsy)

Roughly 10% to 20% of children with cerebral palsy acquire it after birth through;

Infections such as Bacterial Meningitis or Viral Encephalitis.
Head injury of a child through an accident, a fall or abuse (shaken baby syndrome). Violently shaking of an infant can damage the vulnerable brain tissue.
Asphyxia - Nearly drowning or choking on food may cause brain damage through lack of oxygen supply to the brain.

Related Pages you may be interested in.

Cerebral Palsy Types

Signs of Cerebral Palsy

Traumatic Birth Injuries

Infant Torticollis.

When you learn more about cerebral palsy causes it becomes obvious that there is a lot you can do to prevent it. When you maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout your pregnancy it will lessen the change of low birth weight and premature birth.

Get online child birth classes.. Learn how to have a healthy, low risk pregnancy, planning your birth experience, stages of labor and how to avoid the unexpected during delivery.

After birth do everything in your power to prevent head injuries. Never ever shake your baby. Shaking makes the fragile brain bounce back and forth inside the skull. This causes bruising, swelling, and bleeding in the brain. Baby proof your home and never leave your child unattended.