Causes

The term cerebral palsy does not represent the cause of this disorder in children with cerebral palsy. Although it is recognized that cerebral palsy results from damage to certain parts of the developing brain, many cases of CP remain without a defined cause.

The damage is currently known either to be caused in early pregnancy, when the brain is in its early formation stage, during the birth process as the child passes through birth canal or after birth in the first years of life.

Although it is widely believed that the most common cause of CP is due to defiency in oxygen in the brain of the child during delivery (birth asphyxia during perinatal stage), this is not true. Only 10 % of all CP cases begin in this way.

In fact, it is thought that 70% to 80% of CP cases begin before birth (prenatal stage). Only some cases of CP are currently thought to start after birth (post natal stage). On the whole, it is believed that many CP cases may be a combination of peri, pre and post natal factors.

Risk factors that may cause CP include:

 

  • Premature birth- After a premature birth, the baby’s premature brain is considered to be at high risk of high bleeding and if this I s severe enough may result in CP. In addition, premature born babies can develop respiratory distress due to poorly formed lungs. This can led to extended periods where the brain suffers from hypoxia, which again may result in CP.

 

  • Birth defects- Defects in the brain, spinal cord, head, face, lungs or in metabolism may also cause CP.

 

  • Infections- Any medical problems such as thyroid disorders, seizure disorder may also result in the born baby resulting with CP.

 

  • Multiple births- multiple births of babies such as twins or triplet may result in imbalances in blood flow between foetuses so therefore may cause a defiency in the brain during its crucial formation in the pregnancy.

 

  • Rh factor incompatibility-This difference in the blood between mother and foetus can also cause brain damage and lead to CP.

 

  • Complications during labour and delivery also a known cause of CP.

 

  • Damage to the brain early in life such as meningitis, jaundice, and head injury though child abuse may all lead to CP.

 

  • Certain hereditary and genetic conditions which may affect the development of brain may also cause CP.