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Home :: Fact Sheets

Fact Sheets

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Fact Sheets Archive



      

Fact Sheets

Title: 
Cerebral Palsy: Contributing Risk Factors and Causes
Date: 
Sep 01, 1995

Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a chronic condition affecting body and/or limb movement and the control of muscle tone and coordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain during periods of brain development; there is usually no damage to the sensory or motor nerves controlling the muscles. The brain damage is not progressive; however, the characteristics of disabilities resulting from brain damage often change over time. 
In examining the contributing factors that influence the occurrence of cerebral palsy and the specific causes of cerebral palsy, five (5) time periods need to be considered: 

  1. Preconception (parental background) 
  2. First trimester of pregnancy (0 to 3 months) 
  3. Second trimester of pregnancy (3+ to 6 months) 
  4. Third trimester of pregnancy (6+ to 9 months) 
  5. Perinatal period and infancy (first 2 years post natal)

At a "critical time," either a single factor or a combination of factors can contribute to or can cause damage to the developing brain. All factors have not yet been identified. However, a large number are known, and their most influential times of occurrence are being identified. 
These factors and the times when they are most likely to have an impact on the developing brain, are listed below. 

  1. Preconception (Parental Background)

      Biological aging (parent or parents over age 35)
      Biological immaturity (very young parent or parents)
      Environmental toxins
      Genetic background and genetic disorders
      Malnutrition
      Metabolic disorders
      Radiation damage
  2. First Trimester of Pregnancy (0 to 3 months)

      Early: 

        Endocrine: thyroid function; progesterone insufficiency
        Nutrition: malnutrition; vitamin deficiencies; amino acid intolerance
        Toxins: alcohol; drugs; poisons; smoking

      Late: 

        Endocrine: thyroid function; progesterone insufficiency
        Maternal disease: thyrotoxicosis; genetic disorders
        Nutrition: malnutrition; amino acid intolerance

     

  3. Second Trimester of Pregnancy (3+ to 6 months)

      Early: 

        Infection: CM virus; rubella; toxoplasma; HIV; syphilis; chicken pox; subclinical uterine infection

      Late: 

        Placental pathology: vascular occlusion; fetal malnutrition; chronic hypoxia; growth factor deficiencies
  4. Third Trimester of Pregnancy (6+ to 9 months)

      Early: 

        Prematurity and low birth weight
        Blood factors: Rh incompatibility; jaundice
        Cytokines: neurological tissue destruction
        Inflamation and infection: chorioamnionitis

      Late: 

        Prematurity and low birth weight
        Hypoxia: placental insufficiency; perinatal hypoxia
        Infection: listeria; meningitis; streptococcus group B; septicemia; chorioamnionitis
  5. Perinatal Period and Infancy (first 2 years post natal)

      Endocrine: hypoglycemia; hypothyroidism
      Hypoxia: perinatal hypoxia; respiratory distress syndrome
      Infection: meningitis; encephalitis
      Multiple births: death of a twin or triplet
      Stroke: hemorrhagic or embolic stroke
      Trauma: abuse; accidents

© UCP Research & Educational Foundation, September 1995

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