Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent conditions affecting movement and posture. Other afflictions may be present, depending on the cause.
Causes of cerebral palsy:
(1) periventricular leukomalacia associated with prematurity
(2) intracerebral hemorrhage
(3) hydrocephalus
(4) hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
(5) infection
(6) brain malformation
(7) perinatal stroke
(8) chromosomal defects (17p13.3, 20p13, 1p36, 3p22.1, microduplication 1q32.1)
(9) kernicterus
Triggering events may include:
(1) premature birth
(2) multiple birth
(3) in vitro fertilization or in vitro fertilization
(4) umbilical cord entanglements
(5) twin-twin transfusion
(6) cardiac arrest
(7) malformations
(8) intrauterine distress
(9) pre-eclampsia or eclampsia
About 10% of affected infants will have a negative history with normal conception, pregnancy and delivery.
