Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy Causes

Although cerebral palsy syndrome is often congenital (present at birth), it is not hereditary. Rather, it is an error that occurs during development of the fetus or a problem during childbirth itself. Formerly, it was believed that the main cause was a lack of oxygen during birth, but today researchers think that it is true that in 10% of cases.

The fetus from a single cell, which divides repeatedly, ultimately producing billions of cells. At various stages, some of these cells specialize. We are witnessing the formation of various types of nerve cells that migrate to occupy their rightful place in the brain. This process is extremely complicated, and it is not surprising that, on occasion, some errors disrupt the formation of the brain. We are just beginning to understand normal brain development in the fetus, and we hope that this progress will allow us one day to discover the origin of various types of cerebral palsy.

Close monitoring of mothers and their children over the years has allowed researchers to identify some factors that increase the likelihood of developing cerebral palsy, including:

* A premature birth or low birth weight – the most important risk factor;
* Have multiple births, which can multiply the risk of cerebral palsy;
* A presentation by the headquarters;
* Any difficulty or complication during pregnancy;
* The maternal bleeding or proteinuria (excess protein in urine) after 6 months of pregnancy;
* The maternal hyperthyroidism;
* The retardation of the mother;
* Epilepsy in the mother;
* An infection in the mother during pregnancy. Rubella is probably the main infectious cause of cerebral palsy. Toxoplasmosis is another infection potentially threatening brain development of the fetus;
* Rh incompatibility, an immune problem in which the mother produces antibodies that attack and destroy fetal red blood cells, disrupting the supply of oxygen to the organs of the child. This phenomenon is rare during a first pregnancy.

Be Sociable, Share!

•