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Causes of many cases of cerebral palsy are unknown. It's an unabling issue in determining what factors cause cerebral palsy. What is known is premature children are at the highest risk. If the baby doesn't cry during their first five minutes of life, if they need to be placed on a ventilator for over four weeks, and/or if they experience bleeding in their brain, are all possible causes. Babies whose heart, kidneys, or spine have congenital malformations also have a chance of developing CP. This is most likely due to brain malformations.The risk of CP is also increased by the baby having seizures. Factoring combinations are eventually found to have severe mental retardation which results in an abnormal functioning individual. Don't think that every premature infant will have CP, because that's not true. This small premature infant has a 90 percent chance of not having cerebral palsy.
A number of babies may go through difficult times, but that doesn't mean they'll have CP. In contrast, some infants who have rather benign beginnings are eventually found to have severe mental retardation or learning disabilities.
Congenital malformation of the brain means that the brain was malformed at birth and not caused by factors of the birthing process. But not all congenital malformations can be seen by the doctor, even with the use of sophisticated scans. So, congenital malformations is suspected to be a cause of Cerebral Palsy in newborns.
When CP is diagnosed, the parents often experience the feeling of guilt because they wonder if they are the cause. Congenital problems are often called birth defects. Even with good parental care and the following of doctor's advice, birth defects often occur.
While the causes are usually unknown, there are several factors that affect the developing brain.
There are many chemicals that definitely affect the developing brain, such as:
- Exposure to certain chemicals.
- The expectant mother has infections. Infections such as rubella (German measles), toxoplasmosis, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Immunization can prevent rubella, and toxoplasmosis can be minimized if the the expectant mother doesn't handle cat feces or avoiding raw or uncooked meat.
- If the expectant mother experiences physical trauma, the developing brain can be injured as well, but this is a rare occurrence.
- Premature and low birth weight could be related to the increase of specific disorders.
Other factors should be mentioned as possible causes of CP:
- Alcohol is the most common. The term Fetal Alcohol Syndrome describes the long-term, multi-system
effect of alcohol on a child. This is caused by the mother while pregnant. When large amounts of alcohol are consumed, several body systems, including the neurological system be damaged.
Cigarette smoking by the mother is known to decrease birth weight. Low birth weight is associated with cerebral palsy.- If the mother is severely malnourished, the fetuses brain growth is affected. Malnutrition can also cause low birth weight.
- Cocaine or crack use by the expectant mother causes complications with the newborn's blood vessels. And it is these complications which affect many of the newborn's organs as well as the central nervous system. Usage of cocaine is increasing and is becoming more prevalent as the cause of brain damage in infants. Most newborns born to cocaine addicted mothers, have mental retardation rather than cerebral palsy.
It's extremely important to note that CP isn't a disease. It isn't catching, so if you stand next to someone with CP, you won't get it. CP can't be developed as you age. It is caused by an injury to the brain near the time of birth.
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Lack of oxygen to the brain