Cerebral palsy arises from a nonprogressive disturbance in the developing brain. While causes are diverse, most originate before birth; prematurity and low birthweight are major risk factors. Other causes include genetic differences, perinatal stroke or asphyxia, severe neonatal jaundice (kernicterus), infections, and head injury. Modern research highlights prenatal and genetic contributors. There is no cure, but multidisciplinary early intervention and targeted treatments can substantially improve function and quality of life.

What cerebral palsy is

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent movement and posture disorders caused by a nonprogressive disturbance in the developing brain. Signs are usually apparent in infancy or early childhood. The brain injury that causes CP does not get worse over time, but a child's symptoms can change as they grow.

How the brain is affected

CP results when parts of the developing brain do not form or function normally. That disrupted signaling leads to weak or overactive muscles, poor coordination, and abnormal reflexes. The most common clinical pattern is spasticity (stiff muscles), but some children have dyskinetic or ataxic movement differences.

When and why the injury happens

Causes are diverse and are best grouped by timing:

  • Prenatal (before birth): Most cases begin before birth. Risk factors include genetic differences, infections that affect the fetus, problems with the placenta or blood flow, and maternal health conditions. Genetic and prenatal vascular causes are increasingly recognized as contributors to CP.
  • Perinatal (around the time of birth): Severe oxygen deprivation at birth (perinatal asphyxia) can cause brain injury, but in many high-resource settings it is a less common cause than previously assumed. Perinatal stroke is another cause.
  • Neonatal (first weeks of life): Untreated severe newborn jaundice (kernicterus) can damage the brain. Widespread use of bilirubin screening and phototherapy has greatly reduced this risk in high-income countries.
  • Postnatal (after the newborn period): Serious infections such as meningitis or encephalitis, traumatic brain injury, and other acquired insults can lead to CP in a small percentage of children.
Prematurity and very low birthweight remain strong and well-documented risk factors. Babies born very preterm have a higher risk of white-matter brain injury that can lead to CP.

Modern understanding and prevention

Research in recent years emphasizes prenatal and genetic causes more than older models that focused mainly on birth asphyxia. Preventive strategies include good maternal care, management of infections and high-risk pregnancies, prompt treatment of neonatal jaundice, and measures that reduce preterm birth. Some genetic and prenatal vascular causes are not preventable with current knowledge. 1

Treatment and prognosis

There is no cure for CP, but early, coordinated care improves outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach - physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, medications (for spasticity), orthopedics, selective dorsal rhizotomy in selected cases, and assistive technology - helps children gain function and independence. Severity varies: some people lead near-typical lives; others need lifelong support.

Early diagnosis and early intervention remain central to maximizing function and participation in daily life.

  1. Confirm current global and regional prevalence estimates for cerebral palsy (per 1,000 children).
  2. Verify the estimated proportion of CP cases attributed to prenatal genetic and vascular causes versus perinatal asphyxia.
  3. Confirm current guidance on the frequency of perinatal asphyxia as a cause of CP in high-resource settings.

FAQs about Cerebral Palsy Cause

Is cerebral palsy always caused by problems during birth?
No. Most cases begin before birth (prenatal). While complications at birth can cause CP, many children develop CP because of prenatal factors such as genetics, placental problems, or fetal infections.
Can severe newborn jaundice cause cerebral palsy?
Yes. Untreated severe jaundice can lead to kernicterus, a form of brain damage that can cause CP. Routine bilirubin screening and phototherapy have reduced this cause in many settings.
Is cerebral palsy progressive?
No. The underlying brain disturbance is nonprogressive - meaning the brain injury does not worsen - but a child's physical needs and symptoms can change as they grow.
Can genetic factors cause cerebral palsy?
Genetic differences are increasingly recognized as contributors to CP risk, particularly in cases without a clear prenatal or perinatal insult. Genetic testing is sometimes part of the workup.
What treatments help children with cerebral palsy?
A multidisciplinary approach helps most: physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, medications for spasticity, orthopedic procedures, selective dorsal rhizotomy for selected patients, and assistive technology. Early intervention is important.

News about Cerebral Palsy Cause

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