Medscape lists the following as risk factors for cerebral palsy:
During pregnancy
- Hypoxia (a shortage of oxygen in the body);
- Genetic disorders;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Multiple gestation;
- Intrauterine infections;
- Thrombophillic disorders (an increased tendency for blood to clot);
- Teratogenic exposure (teratogenic agents are those which are known to damage to foetus);
- Chorioamnionitis (an inflammatory condition affecting the uterus during pregnancy);
- Maternal fever;
- Exposure to toxins;
- Malformation of brain structures;
- Intrauterine growth restriction;
- Abdominal trauma;
- Vascular insults.
During birth
- Asphyxia;
- Premature birth;
- Blood incompatibility;
- Infection;
- Abnormal foetal presentation (breech babies);
- Placental abruption (the early separation of a normal placenta from the wall of the uterus);
- Instrument delivery.
Postnatal
- Asphyxia;
- Seizures within 48 hours of birth;
- Cerebral infarction;
- Jaundice;
- Sepsis (a serious medical condition characterized by a whole-body inflammatory state caused by infection);
- Respiratory distress syndrome/chronic lung disease;
- Meningitis;
- Postnatal steroids;
- Intraventricular haemorrhage;
- Perivemtricular leukomalacia (a condition where holes form in the white matter of the brain);
- Shaken baby syndrome;
- Head injury.
