Causes of cerebral palsy
There is no single specific cause of cerebral palsy. The potential causes of cp are known to occur in the prenatal stage of development and are also groups with congenital problems into the perinatal period,and in the postnatal period.
Damage to the white matter of the brain (periventricular leukomalacia, or PVL).
The white matter of the brain is responsible for transmitting signals inside the brain and to the rest of the body. Damage from PVL looks like tiny holes in the white matter of an infant’s brain. These gaps in brain tissue interfere with the normal transmission of signals.
Abnormal development of the brain
Any interruption of the normal process of brain growth during fetal development can cause brain malformations that interfere with the transmission of brain signals. Mutations in the genes that control brain development during this early period can keep the brain from developing normally. Infections, fevers, trauma, or other conditions that cause unhealthy conditions in the womb also put an unborn baby’s nervous system at risk.
Severe lack of oxygen in the brain
A lack of oxygen in the brain caused by an interruption in breathing or poor oxygen supply is common for a brief period in babies due to the stress of labour and delivery. If the supply of oxygen is cut off or reduced for lengthy periods, an infant can develop a type of brain damage called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, which destroys tissue in the cerebral motor cortex and other areas of the brain. This kind of damage can also be caused by severe maternal low blood pressure, rupture of the uterus, detachment of the placenta, or problems involving the umbilical cord, or severe trauma to the head during labour and delivery.
Risk factors of cerebral palsy
There are some medical conditions or events that can happen during pregnancy and delivery that may increase a baby’s risk of being born with cerebral palsy. These risks include:
🔻 Low birthweight and premature birth. Premature babies (born less than 37 weeks into pregnancy) and babies weighing less than 5 ½ pounds at birth have a much higher risk of developing cerebral palsy than full-term, heavier weight babies. Tiny babies born at very early gestational ages are especially at risk.
🔻 Infections during pregnancy.
Infections such as toxoplasmosis, rubella (German measles), cytomegalovirus, and herpes, can infect the womb and placenta. Inflammation triggered by infection may then go on to damage the developing nervous system in an unborn baby. Maternal fever during pregnancy or delivery can also set off this kind of inflammatory response.
🔻 Exposure to toxic substances.
Mothers who have been exposed to toxic substances during pregnancy, such as methyl mercury, are at a heightened risk of having a baby with cerebral palsy.
🔻 Mothers with thyroid abnormalities, intellectual disability, excess protein in the urine, or seizures. Mothers with any of these conditions are slightly more likely to have a child with CP.
🔻 Complicated labour and delivery.
A baby who has vascular or respiratory problems during labour and delivery may already have suffered brain damage or abnormalities.
🔻 Seizures.
An infant who has seizures faces a higher risk of being diagnosed later in childhood with CP.
Preventing cerebral palsy
Before Pregnancy
Be as healthy as possible before pregnancy. Make sure that any infections in the mother are treated and health conditions are in control, ideally before pregnancy occurs.
Get vaccinated for certain diseases (such as chickenpox and rubella) that could harm a developing baby. It is important to have many of these vaccinations before becoming pregnant.
If assistive reproductive technology (ART) infertility treatments are used to get pregnant, consider ways to reduce the chance of multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, or more), such as transferring only one embryo at a time.
During Pregnancy 🤰
Learn how to have a healthy pregnancy.
Get early and regular prenatal care, both for your health and for that of your developing baby.
Wash your hands often with soap and water to help reduce the risk of infections that might harm your developing baby.
Contact your health care provider if you get sick, have a fever, or have other signs of infection during pregnancy.
Talk to your doctor about ways to prevent problems if you are at risk for preterm delivery.
After the Baby is Born👶
Learn how to help keep your baby healthy and safe after birth.
Make sure your child is vaccinated against infections that can cause meningitis and encephalitis, including Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB vaccine) and Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcal vaccine).
M. G. Hashani Madurangi
References
https://www.cdc.gov › ncbddd › cp
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/patient-caregiver-education/hope-through-research/cerebral-palsy-hope-through-research#3104_7
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