What causes cerebral palsy?
See also Parent Information Leaflets. Sometimes there is no obvious single reason why someone has cerebral palsy. Causes can be multiple and complex. Studies suggest that cerebral palsy is due mostly to factors affecting the brain before birth. It is commonly the result of one or more abnormalities in the brain, before growth and development are complete. Some of the factors associated with the incidence of cerebral palsy are low birth-weight or premature birth, multiple births, asphyxia (lack of oxygen), infection or a cerebral bleed. Possible causes also include: infection in the early part of pregnancy; infection or accident in the early years of a child’s life and abnormal brain development. There may also be a genetic link, but this is quite rare.
