Cerebral palsy is a serious condition that can occur in newborn babies that can have a devastating impact on the rest of their lives. Even in its mild forms, it can lead to mobility issues for the child as they grow up; in the most serious cases of cerebral palsy, it will lead to lifelong physical and cognitive disabilities.

As such, new parents who are expecting a child should make sure they have a good understanding of the causes and risk factors for cerebral palsy, particularly in terms of what can occur during pregnancy that might affect the child's cerebral palsy risk.

Here, we will explain some of the most common risk factors during pregnancy that can lead to a child developing cerebral palsy. 

What are the risk factors for cerebral palsy during pregnancy?

Many cerebral palsy cases occur as a result of factors that arise before birth, when the child is still in the womb. When this happens, this is known as congenital cerebral palsy.

Often, this will be a result of circumstances surrounding the child's development and birth that puts them at a higher risk of cerebral palsy. Examples include:

• Premature birth, particularly those who are born before the 37th week of pregnancy. Babies born prematurely are generally at much higher risk of medical problems, due to their lack of time to develop fully in the womb
• Low birth weight, which can increase a child's risk of various health problems, including cerebral palsy
• Children born as part of multiple births, such as twins or triplets. Their increased risk of cerebral palsy can be explained by the fact that children born through multiple births are much more likely to have a low birth weight or premature birth
• Children conceived through infertility treatments are also more likely to be susceptible to preterm birth or as part of a multiple birth, putting them at a higher risk of developing cerebral palsy
• If the pregnant woman is known to have smoked, taken drugs or drunk a lot of alcohol during the pregnancy, the risk of cerebral palsy increases

In other cases, the cerebral palsy risk factors will be associated with specific medical problems that affect the baby's developing brain and spinal cord, or health problems affecting the mother that are then passed on to the baby. Examples of this include:

• Reduced blood or oxygen supply to the developing foetus, resulting in damage to the brain's white matter - this is known as periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), and can lead to abnormal brain development
• A stroke that causes bleeding in the baby's brain, or an interruption of the blood supply to their brain. If this is not detected, it can result in a clinical negligence case
• An injury to the unborn baby's head, resulting in brain damage
• A detached placenta, uterine rupture or problems with the umbilical cord, all of which can disrupt the oxygen supply to the child. This should be recognised with proper monitoring, and the delivery must be expedited to prevent brain damage
• A bacterial or viral infection caught by the mother during pregnancy, which need to be managed so as not to cause harm to the baby. Examples of diseases that may be a potential risk factor for cerebral palsy include cytomegalovirus, rubella (German measles), chickenpox and toxoplasmosis
• Certain other medical conditions affecting the mother during pregnancy, including thyroid problems or maternal seizures
• A blood type incompatibility between mother and child

All of these are potential risk factors for developing cerebral palsy, but it is important to note that there is no single certain set of conditions that will always lead to this condition. Many infants who undergo traumatic births are able to do so without any damage to their developing brain, while other babies born with relatively few risk factors may still develop cerebral palsy for another reason.

What causes cerebral palsy during or after birth?

Not all cases of cerebral palsy are caused by factors that arise during pregnancy. In other cases, the cause of cerebral palsy will be related to traumatic circumstances taking place during or shortly after the birth, including:

• The baby being deprived of oxygen during the birth process, for example, due to problems with the umbilical cord being wrapped around the child's neck, or difficulties arising during a breech birth (in which the child is delivered feet-first)
• The child sustaining a head injury or brain damage during their birth - for example, due to mistakes made during a forceps delivery

Additionally, there are a number of circumstances in which an infant can develop cerebral palsy at any point during the newborn period, including more than 28 days after their birth. These cases are known as acquired cerebral palsy, with potential causes including:

• Hypoglycaemia, caused by a failure to effectively monitor a baby’s blood sugar levels
• Untreated jaundice, a condition that causes yellow discolouration of the baby's skin due to a build-up of a chemical called bilirubin. Left untreated for too long, severe jaundice can lead to a condition called kernicterus, in which the excess bilirubin causes brain damage, potentially resulting in cerebral palsy
• A failure to diagnose meningitis or another serious infection that affects the baby's developing brain

It is the responsibility of your child's doctor to be aware of these cerebral palsy risk factors, and ensure that the health of your child is being properly monitored, especially if they have a low birth weight or genetic factors that put them at a greater risk of cerebral palsy. If they fail to do so and they develop cerebral palsy as a result, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

How to decrease your child's risk of cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy can often be caused by one of several factors, and in many cases, the exact cause of cerebral palsy remains unknown. As such, there are no guaranteed steps that an expectant mother can take to prevent cerebral palsy completely; nevertheless, it may still be possible to reduce the number of potential risk factors by taking simple health precautions during pregnancy.

All of the following advice may help to reduce your child's risk of cerebral palsy and other birth defects, and enjoy a healthy pregnancy:

• Get vaccinated against common maternal infections that are known to potentially pose a risk to a developing baby
• Take steps to promote good hygiene and avoid contracting maternal infections
• Speak to a medical professional for advice if you are at risk of premature delivery, in order to determine the best way of managing this risk
• See a doctor as soon as possible if you fall ill or show signs of an infection during pregnancy
• Seek advice straight away if you are concerned about your baby’s movements
• If you are aware that you have previously tested positive for the Group B streptococcal bacteria, let your midwife know

By taking these steps, you will be helping to protect your unborn baby from cerebral palsy and other health problems, while ensuring that your doctor is able to detect any potential problems with the child's condition as soon as possible.

What to do if your child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy

As discussed, it is impossible to prevent all cases of cerebral palsy, and sometimes brain damage will occur despite efforts made to manage all of the risk factors. When this happens, it is important to know where to look for help and support.

If you identify signs of cerebral palsy in your child, you should have them assessed by a doctor to obtain a diagnosis. Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that cannot currently be cured, but by identifying the problem as early as possible, parents can ensure their child receives the care and support they need.

With a formal diagnosis in hand, a tailored treatment approach to aid your child's development can be developed, which may include:

• Physiotherapy to encourage movement and aid with muscle stiffness and mobility issues associated with cerebral palsy
• Speech and language therapy to aid communication and alleviate difficulties with swallowing
• Occupational therapy designed to help people with cerebral palsy to complete everyday tasks more easily
• Medications to manage stiff muscles and other symptoms of cerebral palsy
• Educational support to ensure the child's cerebral palsy is accounted for in their future educational pathway
• Surgical interventions to help restore movement to parts of the body

If you believe that your child developed cerebral palsy as a result of mistakes made by medical practitioners, it is best to contact a specialist medical negligence solicitor with experience in handling cerebral palsy cases. You may be able to make a claim for compensation, allowing you to hold those responsible to account for their mistakes, and provide your family with much-needed financial support to ensure your child receives the help they require.

Find out more

To learn more about cerebral palsy, including its causes and risk factors, take a look at JMW's Cerebral Palsy Hub. You can also take a look at our guide to the symptoms of cerebral palsy and how to spot them.

For information on making a claim for compensation following a cerebral palsy diagnosis, please visit our Cerebral Palsy Claims page, or call us today at 0345 872 6666. You can also fill out our online contact form to request for a member of our team to call you back.