Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a condition that affects somewhere between 800,000 and 1,000,000 Americans currently in the United States. It is not a disease, per se, but rather an injury that causes damage to the cerebrum, which in turn affects the motor skills of the patient.

Cerebral Palsy can be caused by a variety of reasons, mostly having to do with something going wrong during pregnancy. Most common causes are asphyxiation or not enough oxygen reaching the fetus, infections during the pregnancy, blood disease, and other similar birth defects. It is caused especially by the underdevelopment of the fetus's brain while in the womb, so the disease can be prevented by receiving the appropriate medical attention during and following pregnancy.

Cerebral Palsy can be acquired after birth through head injuries, infections, or meningitis if any of these conditions are left untreated. If the baby is born with jaundice and it goes untreated it can result in congenital cerebral palsy. There are also several avoidable causes including lead poisoning, shaken baby syndrome, choking on foreign objects, and near drowning.

Cerebral Palsy is a very serious condition that should be caught and treated early on or avoided if possible. If you suspect there is something wrong with your child before or after pregnancy, it is highly recommended to consult a doctor. Symptoms include balance problems, unsteady movement, paralysis, seizures, spasms, and involuntary muscle movements. Most cerebral palsy patients are normal intellectually, though they may have motor difficulties.

There is currently no known cure for Cerebral Palsy, but there are several therapy techniques that allow the patient to live an easier day-to-day life. Treatments may include physical therapy, drugs to combat muscle spams and seizures, surgery, and braces to support muscles. The brain damage does not get worse over time, however symptoms of the disease such as seizures and spasms can indeed become more severe.

The positive news is that most of the causes of cerebral palsy are completely preventable. There are some accidental cases that are not preventable nor is it possible to foresee them, but the majority of cerebral palsy cases could be avoided with several precautions. Regular prenatal tests can alert a pregnant mother of when there might be cause for concern about a possible cerebral palsy risk. Jaundice in newborns can be treated before it has the chance to become severe and proper immunizations for both the mother and the infant can decrease the risk of contracting an infectious disease that might lead to CP.

The most important thing is to take precautions and if you have any concerns about CP consult a professional.

Cerebral Palsy can be caused by a variety of reasons, mostly having to do with something going wrong during pregnancy but an injury can also cause CP.