What Are Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy distorts messages from the brain to cause increased muscle tension (called hypertonus) or reduced muscle tension (called hypotonus). Sometimes this tension fluctuates, becoming more or less obvious. Messages from the brain may also be mistimed, sent to the wrong muscle, or not sent at all. This affects the timing, quality and synchronisation of messages, generally resulting in erratic movement of the muscles. Only the message path between the brain and muscles is affected, not the muscles themselves. Cerebral palsy can be categorised into four main areas, according to the parts of the body it affects:
Quadriplegia – all four limbs are affected and the muscles of the face and mouth may also be affected.
Diplegia – all four limbs are affected, but legs more so than arms.
Hemiplegia – one side of the body is affected.
Paraplegia – both legs, but neither of the arms, are affected.
Causes of cerebral palsy
The brain damage that causes CP can occur before the child is born, during birth or in the first few years of life. In most cases, CP is present at birth. Normally, the brain sends out messages telling the body exactly how to move and exactly when to move. Children who have CP have damage to the part of the brain that sends out these messages. This affects the way a child who has CP talks, walks and moves.
Cerebral palsy is not a disease, it is a condition. Cerebral palsy is not contagious. It is also not hereditary. It is usually the result of changes in, or injury to, the developing brain before or during birth, or sometimes in early childhood. The precise nature of the injury is not known. It is usually the result of a diminished blood supply and lack of oxygen to areas of the brain, causing damage to brain cells.
This type of brain damage may be caused by illnesses – such as rubella during pregnancy, meningitis in young children, or accidental injury to the brain.
Recent research indicates that extremely premature babies may also be at risk. The incidence of cerebral palsy appears higher in multiple births.
Risk factors for CP
Infection, such as rubella, in a pregnant mother
Problems with blood circulation in the brain before birth
Abnormal brain development
Premature birth or low birth weight
Babies in a feet-first (breech) position at the beginning of labor
Difficult labor and delivery or delivery of multiple babies
Exposure to toxic substances in a pregnant mother
Severe jaundice in newborns
Infections in the baby after birth, such as bacterial meningitis

Head injuries after birth