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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffMost cases of cerebral palsy are believed to be caused by problems that occur before the baby is born, although some cases have been linked to brain injuries or infections during the first few months or years of life. Doctors can't always determine the root cause of the brain damage that results in cerebral palsy. Potential causes include:
Infections
Cerebral palsy has been linked to a variety of infectious diseases occurring either in the mother during pregnancy or in the infant during the first few months of life.
Maternal illnesses that have been linked to cerebral palsy include:
- German measles (rubella). Also known as "three-day measles," rubella can be prevented with a vaccine.
- Chickenpox (varicella). Associated with the later development of shingles, chickenpox can be prevented with a vaccine.
- Cytomegalovirus. Up to 80 percent of the population has been infected with this virus, which causes flu-like symptoms, by the age of 40. Most people have mild symptoms that come and go throughout their lives. If a woman experiences her first bout of cytomegalovirus during pregnancy, it may cause birth defects.
- Toxoplasmosis. A parasite found in the soil and in the feces of infected cats, toxoplasmosis can harm the fetuses of women who are infected during pregnancy.
- Syphilis. A sexually transmitted disease, syphilis can harm the fetuses of infected women.
Infant illnesses that have been linked to cerebral palsy include:
- Meningitis. Meningitis causes inflammation in the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacterial form of the disease is the most dangerous.
- Viral encephalitis. Encephalitis causes inflammation in the brain itself. Viral encephalitis is the most common variety.
Congenital abnormalities
Some children have cerebral palsy because their brains didn't develop properly while in the womb. In most cases, doctors don't know why this happens. In some instances, however, mutations in the genes responsible for brain development can prevent the brain from developing normally. Exposure to toxins, radiation or infections increases the risk.
Strokes
Although strokes are more commonly associated with older people, they can happen at any age — even before birth. Strokes can occur when clots in the placenta interrupt the flow of blood to the baby. Strokes can also occur if malformed or weak blood vessels leak blood into the brain.
Lack of oxygen
For many years, doctors and researchers believed that cerebral palsy was caused by a lack of oxygen during birth. Now they believe that only a small number of cases are caused by problems during labor and delivery.
Severe jaundice
Jaundice is common in newborns. But severe cases of untreated jaundice can harm the brain permanently and may result in cerebral palsy.
- Cerebral palsy: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_palsy/detail_cerebral_palsy.htm. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
- Miller G. Epidemiology and etiology of cerebral palsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
- Miller G. Clinical features and diagnosis of cerebral palsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 3, 2008.
- Parmet S, et al. JAMA patient page: Chickenpox. Journal of the American Medical Association. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- Neurological consequences of cytomegalovirus infection information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cytomegalic/cytomegalic.htm. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- Toxoplasmosis: Pregnant women. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/toxoplasmosis/pregnant.html. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- CDC fact sheet: Syphilis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/Syphilis/syphilis-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- Meningitis and encephalitis fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/encephalitis_meningitis/detail_encephalitis_meningitis.htm. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- Miller G. Management and prognosis of cerebral palsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 5, 2008.
