Cerebral Palsy Risk Factors

Risk Factors

Risk factors are variables that have been observed to have an effect on the diagnosis of medical conditions. Risk factors do not, by themselves, indicate that a condition will occur, nor does the lack of a risk factor mean that a condition will not occur. The presence of risk factors may simply point to an increased likelihood, not a certainty, for the development of cerebral palsy.

The following risk factors in parents, may increase the risk of cerebral palsy (CP) in their child:

• If the Mother is over 40 years old, or younger than 20 years old;
• If the Father is younger than 20 years old;
• African-American ethnicity - cerebral palsy has a higher rate of incidence within the African-American community;

The following risk factors related to pregnancy or the delivery, may increase the risk of cerebral palsy:

• If the pregnancy is the first, or is the fifth or later in the family;
• Twinning, or multiple child pregnancy, can lead to lower birth weights and/or prematurity - increasing the risk for CP;
• Vaginal bleeding in the third trimester;
• Low birth weight - under 5.7 pounds;
• Premature birth, less than 37 weeks;
• Breech birth;
• Fetal Distress, respiratory or vascular problems during delivery;
• Low Apgar score - infant heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color are each scored as 0 (low), 1 (intermediate), or 2 (normal) after delivery. A total score of 7-10 at 5 minutes is considered normal; 4-6, intermediate; and 0-3, low. Scores that remain low 10-20 minutes after delivery indicate increased risk for CP.

Additional risk factors for cerebral palsy include:

• Rh or ABO blood type incompatibility between mother and child;
• Serious viral infections (ex., German Measles) during early pregnancy;

Cerebral palsy diagnosis depends on many factors, a team of medical professionals can make an accurate diagnosis, and assist in determining a long-term prognosis for the child. While a medical diagnosis can be determined, often what caused the cerebral palsy cannot be, click here to learn more about the possible causes of CP.

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