Over the years, it has been believed that cerebral palsy is caused by a lack of oxygenation during the birth process. However, scientists at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) now believe that babies who suffer mild to moderate asphyxia during the birth process rarely develop encephalopathy after birth. A large number of these infants grow up without any sign of cerebral palsy or other neurological disorders. In reality, birth complications (including asphyxia) account for only about 6% of the cases of congenital cerebral palsy and in these cases the asphyxia has usually been moderate to severe.

 

So what does cause cerebral palsy?

 

First of all, cerebral palsy can be categorized as either:

• Congenital: the CP is present at birth, although it may not be diagnosed for several months or even years, or
• Acquired: from brain damage in the first few months or years of life.

Let’s summarizes major causes of the brain damage that leads to either congenital or acquired cerebral palsy.

 

Common Causes of Cerebral Palsy

 

Congenital CP

• infections during pregnancy (rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxiplasmosis)
• jaundice
• Rh incompatibility
• severe oxygen shortage to brain or head trauma during birth process
• stroke

Acquired CP

• bacterial meningitis
• viral encephalitis
• head injury