There are a variety of diseases and illnesses that can strike a healthy baby or child and result in brain damage, including the following:

• Encephalitis. This serious infection of the brain causes inflammation and swelling that can result in permanent brain injury.

• Meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of one of the membranes that surrounds the brain. Meningitis can be viral or bacterial; the bacterial form is generally more serious.

• Fungal meningitis. Fungal meningitis is an infection of the membranes that surround the brain, caused when airborne yeast cells are inhaled. This form of meningitis is extremely rare.

• Neonatal jaundice. Babies born with severe jaundice, in which the immature liver causes an excess of bilirubin in the blood, can result in brain injury if not properly treated.

• Infant cytomegalic virus. Infant cytomegalic virus is a congenital infection that affects 6,000 babies per year. This virus can cause serious complications, including brain injury.

• Toxoplasmosis. This infection is caused by a parasite found in some cats, and is usually passed from the mother on to the fetus. Pregnant mothers should avoid cleaning out litter boxes or handling cat feces.

• Arbovirus. This infectious disease is transmitted via ticks and other insects, and can lead to brain inflammation resulting in permanent brain injury.

• Rh disease. This disease occurs when the mother and child’s blood is not compatible. There are tests that easily and definitely determine if this is the case, and simple injections during pregnancy remedy the situation.

• Togaviridae disease. This is an infection by a family of viruses that cause Ross River virus, Equine encephalitis, and Rubella virus. These viruses are transmitted via insects, and may cause permanent brain injury.

• Measles. Measles has become less common due to childhood vaccination. However, in rare cases serious cases of measles can result in brain damage.