Certain characteristics have been found to increase
the possibility that a child will later be diagnosed with Cerebral
Palsy. These risk factors are good warning signs to help children
who face a higher risk for long-term, nervous system problems.
These factors may be present in children who do not, nor ever will,
have Cerebral Palsy.
Complicated labor and delivery. Vascular or respiratory problems
of the baby during labor and delivery may sometimes be the first
sign that a baby has suffered brain damage or that a baby's brain
has not developed normally. Such complications can cause permanent
brain damage.
Breech presentation. Babies with cerebral palsy
are more likely to present feet first, instead of head first, at
the beginning of labor.
Low birthweight and premature birth. The risk of cerebral palsy
is higher among babies who weigh less than 2500 grams (5 lbs.,
7 1/2 oz.) at birth and among babies who are born less than 37
weeks into pregnancy. This risk increases as birthweight falls.
Low Apgar score. The Apgar score is a numbered
rating that reflects a newborn's condition. To determine an Apgar
score, doctors periodically check the baby's heart rate, breathing,
muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color in the first minutes after
birth. They then assign points; the higher the score, the more
normal the baby's condition. A low score at 10-20 minutes after
delivery is often considered an important sign of potential problems.
Multiple births. Twins, triplets, and other multiple
births are linked to an increased risk of Cerebral Palsy.
Nervous system malformations. Some babies born
with Cerebral Palsy have visible signs of nervous system malformation,
such as an abnormally small head (microcephaly). This suggests
that problems occurred in the development of the nervous system
while the baby was in the womb.
Maternal bleeding or severe proteinuria late in
pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding during the sixth to ninth months of
pregnancy and severe proteinuria (the presence of excess proteins
in the urine) are linked to a higher risk of having a baby with
Cerebral Palsy.
Maternal hyperthyroidism, mental retardation,
or seizures. Mothers with any of these conditions are slightly
more likely to have a child with Cerebral Palsy.
Seizures in the newborn. An infant who has seizures
faces a higher risk of being diagnosed, later in childhood, with
Cerebral Palsy.
In dealing with Cerebral
Palsy, it is important to understand the available Cerebral
Palsy Treatments that go along with a Cerebral
Palsy Diagnosis after Cerebral
Palsy has been detected. Through extensive, technology based Cerebral
Palsy Research, there is hope for possible future Cerebral
Palsy Prevention.
If your child has any type of Cerebral
Palsy such as Athetoid
Cerebral Palsy, Spastic
Cerebral Palsy, or Ataxic
Cerebral Palsy, feel comfort in knowing you have made a step
in the right direction by contacting us.
