Safety Showcase
Preventing Cerebral Palsy
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Most children with cerebral palsy don't have any apparent problems during development and birth. But some factors may increase the risk of cerebral palsy:
- Babies that are premature or have a low birth weight
- Fetuses in a feet-first position (breech presentation) at the beginning of labor
- Complicated labor and delivery
- Maternal infection during pregnancy
- Health problems in the mother during pregnancy that impair normal blood circulation to the uterus and placenta
Meconium staining of amniotic fluid, caused by stool passed by the fetus in utero, also may indicate prenatal difficulties. However, most children with one or more of these risk factors don't develop cerebral palsy.
For more than a century, doctors have hoped that by somehow improving labor and birth practices, they could reduce the incidence of cerebral palsy. But these rates have remained fairly constant, despite increased prenatal care, electronic fetal monitoring, prenatal ultrasound and increased use of Caesarean section delivery over the past 25 years.
Fewer babies now develop cerebral palsy as a consequence of birth injury. However, larger numbers of extremely premature babies survive, and some will develop cerebral palsy.
Most cases of cerebral palsy can't be prevented, despite the best efforts of parents and doctors. But, if you're pregnant, you can take these steps to keep healthy to minimize the possibility of pregnancy complications:
- Make sure you're immunized. Immunization against diseases such as rubella may prevent an infection that could cause fetal brain damage.
- Take care of yourself. The healthier you are heading into a pregnancy, the less likely you'll be to develop an infection that may result in cerebral palsy.
- Seek early and continuous prenatal care. Regular visits to your doctor during your pregnancy are a good way to reduce health risks to you and your unborn baby. Seeing your doctor regularly can help prevent premature birth, low birth weight and infections.