Causes of Cerebral Palsy, Risk Factors and How to Prevent It

According to the CDC, genetics-related cerebral palsy cannot be prevented. However, there are several actions that can be taken before and during pregnancy, as well as after delivery that can help reduce the risk of developmental problems, including cerebral palsy. Here’s how:

Before pregnancy

– Be as healthy as possible before getting pregnant. Make sure the infection in the mother is treated and the health condition under control, ideally before pregnancy occurs.

– Get vaccinated for certain diseases (such as chickenpox and rubella) that can harm a developing baby. It is important to have many of these vaccinations before becoming pregnant.

– If infertility treatment with assisted reproductive technology (ART) is used to get pregnant, consider ways to reduce the chances of multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, or more), such as transferring only one embryo at a time.

During pregnancy

– Learn how to manage a healthy pregnancy.

– Get early and regular prenatal care, both for the health and the developing baby.

– Wash your hands frequently with soap and water to help reduce the risk of infections that can harm a developing baby.

– Call your healthcare provider if you are sick, have a fever, or have other signs of infection during pregnancy.

– Flu shots are the best protection against serious illnesses caused by the flu. Flu shots can protect pregnant women and their unborn babies, both before and after birth.

– If there is a difference in blood type or Rh incompatibility between mother and baby it can cause jaundice and kernicterus. Mothers should know their blood type and talk to their doctor about ways to prevent problems. Doctors can treat a mother with Rh immune globulin (“Rhogam”) when she is 28 weeks pregnant and again soon after delivery to prevent kernicterus.

– Talk to your doctor about ways to prevent problems if you are at risk of premature delivery. Studies have shown that taking magnesium sulfate before anticipating early preterm delivery reduces the risk of CP among surviving infants.

After the baby is born

– Learn how to help keep baby healthy and safe after birth.

– Any baby can get jaundice. Untreated severe jaundice can cause brain damage, called kernicterus. Kernicterus is a potentially preventable cause of CP. Infants should be checked for jaundice at the hospital and checked again within 48 hours of leaving the hospital. Ask your doctor or nurse about a jaundiced bilirubin test. In addition, steps can be taken to prevent kernicterus caused by Rh blood type incompatibility between mother and baby.

– Ensure that children are vaccinated against infections that can cause meningitis and encephalitis, including Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB vaccine) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal vaccine).

– Take steps to prevent injury:

Fasten the child in the car using an infant or child car seat, booster seat, or seat belt (according to the child’s height, weight and age).

Make the family room safer for children by using window guards to prevent children from falling from open windows and using safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.

Make sure the surface of the child’s playground is made of a shock -absorbent material, such as hardwood mulch or sand.

Keep a close eye on small children at all times around bathtubs, pools or wading pools, and natural waters. Adults supervising children near water should avoid distracting activities such as using a computer or handheld device, reading, or talking on the phone.

Make sure the child wears a helmet for activities such as riding a bicycle. Never hit, throw, shake, or injure a child.

–