Risk factors

A number of factors are associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy.

Maternal health

Certain infections or toxic exposures during pregnancy can significantly increase cerebral palsy risk to the baby. Inflammation triggered by infection or fever can damage the unborn baby's developing brain.

• Cytomegalovirus. This common virus causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to birth defects if a mother has her first active infection during pregnancy.
• German measles (rubella). This viral infection can be prevented with a vaccine.
• Herpes. This infection can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, affecting the womb and placenta.
• Syphilis. This is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection.
• Toxoplasmosis. This infection is caused by a parasite found in contaminated food, soil and the feces of infected cats.
• Zika virus infection. This infection is spread through mosquito bites and can affect fetal brain development.
• Intrauterine infections. This includes infections of the placenta or fetal membranes.
• Exposure to toxins. One example is exposure to methyl mercury.
• Other conditions. Other conditions affecting the mother that can slightly increase the risk of cerebral palsy include thyroid problems, preeclampsia or seizures.

Infant illness

Illnesses in a newborn baby that can greatly increase the risk of cerebral palsy include:

• Bacterial meningitis. This bacterial infection causes inflammation in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• Viral encephalitis. This viral infection similarly causes inflammation in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• Severe or untreated jaundice. Jaundice appears as a yellowing of the skin. The condition occurs when certain byproducts of "used" blood cells aren't filtered from the bloodstream.
• Bleeding into the brain. This condition is commonly caused by the baby having a stroke in the womb or in early infancy.

Factors of pregnancy and birth

While the potential contribution from each is limited, additional pregnancy or birth factors associated with increased cerebral palsy risk include:

• Low birth weight. Babies who weigh less than 5.5 pounds (2.5 kilograms) are at higher risk of developing cerebral palsy. This risk increases as birth weight drops.
• Multiple babies. Cerebral palsy risk increases with the number of babies sharing the uterus. The risk also can be related to the likelihood of premature birth and low birth weight. If one or more of the babies die, the survivors' risk of cerebral palsy increases.
• Premature birth. Babies born prematurely are at higher risk of cerebral palsy. The earlier a baby is born, the greater the cerebral palsy risk.
• Delivery complications. Problems during labor and delivery may increase the risk of cerebral palsy.