|
Cerebral palsy results from an abnormality in or injury to the cerebrum - the largest area of the brain, which controls sensation and voluntary motor function. Although cerebral palsy affects movement, the underlying problem originates in the brain, not in the muscles themselves.
A small number of children with cerebral palsy acquire the disorder after birth. In these cases, doctors can sometimes pinpoint a specific reason for the neurological problem. For example, cerebral palsy can develop after an illness during early infancy, such as bacterial meningitis - an infection and inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
One of the common causes is injury during the delivery process, for example when force is applied the head, or the fetus does not receive adequate oxygen.
The causes of Cerebral Palsy can be broken down in 2 categories: Developmental and Injury
One is where the brain does not develop properly during pregnancy. During the early months the brain cells are rapidly growing in the fetus. If not enough cells develop or the communications between the cells is impaired, than the brain will not function normally. This can occur due to chromosome abnormalities, genetic disorders, or lack of blood to the brain.
The second cause results from some type damage to a normally developing brain.
This can happen before during or after birth. Often this occurs during delivery or complications from a premature birth. For example, if your baby does not get adequate oxygen during delivery because the placenta or umbilical cord are compromised this can cause brain damage. That is why fetal monitoring is so important. If there is a lack of oxygen the fetus will go into distress and the heart rate changes can be picked up by the monitor, prompting an emergency C-section.
The following is list of circumstances that can cause brain damage (cerebral palsy):
- Bleeding/hemorrhage in the brain which can result from too much force applied to the head during delivery from forceps or vacuum.
- Lack of oxygen during pregnancy, delivery, or after birth. Failing to promptly ventilate baby with breathing difficulty or not quickly responding to fetal distress.
- Head trauma from accident such a dropping a baby.
- Infection that goes untreated, whether during pregnancy or after birth.
- Severe, untreated jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia) can damage brain cells in newborns and infants.
If you have questions about the cause of your child’s condition feel free to contact our counselors for assistance. Determining the cause of Cerebral Palsy may be helpful in getting benefits and future care for your child.
Infants at the highest risk for developing cerebral palsy exhibit one or more of these factors: premature; low birth weight (<5 lb 7 ½ oz); do not cry within 5 minutes of delivery; sustained on a ventilator more than 4 weeks; brain hemorrhage (bleeding).
Risk factors include the following:
- Complications in pregnant mother (vaginal bleeding after 6th month, proteinuria, hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, Rh incompatibility, mental retardation, seizures)
- Breech birth (born feet or buttocks first)
- Labor and delivery complications (vascular or respiratory problems; may indicate brain damage or abnormal brain development)
- Multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.; CP may be due to prematurity or intrauterine growth retardation)
- Birth defects (malformation of spinal bones, hernia in groin area, abnormally small jawbone, microcephaly)
- Newborn seizures
- Low Apgar score Infant heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color are each scored as 0 (low), 1 (intermediate), or 2 (normal) after delivery. A total score of 7-10 at 5 minutes is considered normal; 4-6, intermediate; and 0-3, low. Scores that remain low 10-20 minutes after delivery indicate increased risk for CP.
|
