Risk Factors for Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy, a group of neurological disorders that limit a person's ability to move and use muscles, affects approximately 1 out of every 248 children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (See Reference 1.) Although a specific cause for most instances of cerebral palsy are difficult to pinpoint, certain factors do increase your child's chances of developing cerebral palsy. Awareness of the risk factors for cerebral palsy can help you and your family doctor take the necessary precautions to minimize your baby's chances of developing cerebral palsy.
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Premature Birth
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A baby born between 37 and 40 weeks of pregnancy is considered full-term. A baby born prematurely (at any point before the 37th week of pregnancy) has an increased likelihood of developing cerebral palsy. This risk increases with each additional week that your baby is born early. If you experience signs of premature labor, such as contractions and vaginal bleeding, contact your healthcare provider immediately so he can take the necessary measures to ensure that your baby is not born prematurely.
Low Birth Weight
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Although babies born within the normal weight range can also develop cerebral palsy, the Mayo Clinic states that if your baby weighs less than 5.5 pounds at birth, he is more likely to develop cerebral palsy. (See Reference 2.) In fact, the less your baby weighs at birth, the higher her chances are of having cerebral palsy. Ensuring that you exercise and eat a well-balanced diet allows you to gain adequate weight during your pregnancy and plays an important role in minimizing this risk factor.
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Multiple Births
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Babies from multiple births, such as twins, triplets and quadruplets, also have a higher chance of having cerebral palsy than babies from single births. With each additional child in the womb, the risks of cerebral palsy increase. If one of the unborn babies dies, the remaining babies have an even higher chance of developing cerebral palsy. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, this increased risk remains the same regardless of whether your babies are born full-term. (See Reference 3.)
Labor and Delivery Problems
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Certain circumstances during labor and delivery may heighten your baby's chances of having cerebral palsy, including breech birth, complicated labor and delivery, and a low Apgar score. If your baby is born feet first (breech position), then he is more likely to develop cerebral palsy. Similarly, a complicated labor and delivery in which a baby has respiratory problems can cause brain damage associated with cerebral palsy. After your baby is born, the doctor checks various points that indicate your baby's health (including heart rate, breathing, skin color and reflexes) and gives your baby an overall score called an Apgar score; a low Apgar score after birth often reflects problems such as cerebral palsy.
Mother's Health
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The mother's health also plays a role in determining a child's chances of developing cerebral palsy. If you have thyroid abnormalities, a history of seizures, or mental retardation, your baby has an increased chance of developing brain problems that cause cerebral palsy. In addition, a woman who has been exposed to toxic substances, such as mercury, during pregnancy is at a higher risk of giving birth to a baby with cerebral palsy. Although you cannot control certain aspects of your own health, taking precautions to limit your exposure to toxic substances during pregnancy decreases your baby's chances of developing this neurological disorder.
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