children s health issues
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
Many different types of brain malformations and brain damage can cause cerebral palsy, and sometimes more than one cause is involved. Problems that occur just before, during, and just after birth cause 15 to 20% of cases. These problems include lack of oxygen during delivery, infections, and brain injuries. During pregnancy, infections, such as Rubella , Preterm (Premature) Newborns are particularly vulnerable, possibly in part because in a certain part of their brain, some of the blood vessels are thin and bleed easily. High levels of bilirubin in the blood can lead to a form of brain damage called During the first two years of life, severe illness, such as inflammation of the tissues covering the brain ( Meningitis in Children ), a severe bloodstream infection ( After age 2, muscle malfunction resulting from brain damage is not considered cerebral palsy. 