Causes of CP

Outlined below are some of the many causes and factors that may result in a person having congenital Cerebral Plasy. Many of the signs of Cerebral Palsy may be present at birth or they may not be seen for months or years later. A diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy may occur immediately after birth (as was the case with this author) but more commonly occurs between 15 and 24 months. It is very possible that a case of Cerebral Palsy may be misdiagnosed for years because symptoms might occasional show up very late in childhood. The cause of a specific case of Cerebral Palsy may occur after birth, even an adult can acquire Cerebral Palsy through an accident resulting in brain damage.

Prenatal Causes (From conception until labor)

  • Anoxia due to a problem with the umbilical cord
  • Maternal infection such as rubella, txoplasmosis, herpes simplex : see article on Intrauterine Infection and Cerebral Palsy from UCPA
  • Metabolic disorders in the mother such as diabetes, a heart condition, hyperthyroidism, severe asthma
  • RH Factor: RH sensitization
  • Abdominal Injury durring pregnancy: see article at drkoop.com
  • Absence or lack of prenatal care

Perinatal Causes (Shortly before birth and 1-4 weeks after birth)

  • Anoxia due to problems with the umbilical cord
  • Asphyxia due to a mechanical respiratory obstruction
  • Analgesics (the administering of drugs affecting the respiratory system)
  • Trauma: to the head durring labor/delivery, hemorrhage, forceps application, poor position of the infant, breech delivery
  • Pressure changes: being delivered too fast or too slow
  • Prematurity and complications at birth, respiratory distress, very low birth weight

Developmental Causes

  • Macrocephaly
  • Micocephaly

Causes of Acquired Cerebral Palsy

  • Trauma to the head such as a wound or fracture resulting in injury to the brain.
  • Infections of the nervous system such as high fevers, meningitis, encephalitis, and brain abscess.
  • Vascular problems of the brain such as thrombosis or hemorrhage.
  • Anoxia due to strangulation, carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke inhalation, and near drowning.
  • Neoplasams of the brain such as cysts, tumors and hydrocephalus.

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This page was last updated 06/24/00