Causes of Cerebral Palsy

One of first questions that parents of children with cerebral palsy ask is “Why does my child have cerebral palsy?” Simply put, a child develops cerebral palsy as the result of brain damage that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. There are two main factors that can contribute to the kind of brain damage that causes cerebral palsy. 

1. Developmental brain malformation. This is the inability of the brain to develop properly when the child is in utero. While doctors can’t always pinpoint the reasons why the brain doesn’t develop properly, it is suspected that poor or insufficient neonatal care and maternal care may contribute.
2. Neurological damage. This kind of damage can result from brain injury, birth injury, Trauma, asphyxia and premature birth. This kind of neurological damage occurs during birth or shortly after the child is born, as the result of an accident, infection/illness, or injury. 

If you are like most parents of children with cerebral palsy, you probably want to know if the cause of your child’s CP could have been prevented. Simply put, cerebral palsy can be a mysterious disorder, and in many cases—particularly in cases where the brain failed to properly develop in the womb—the doctor can’t determine exactly how the damage occurred. In other situations, however, the cause is obvious and it’s easy to see how a child’s cerebral palsy could have been prevented.

Most parents don’t have the know-how or knowledge to determine whether the cause of their child’s CP could have been avoided. If you suspect that your child’s CP was the result of a preventable action or situation, contact us to find out how we can help.