Causes of cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy has diverse contributing factors (eg low birthweight, prematurity) and may result from events in the prenatal, perinatal or postnatal period; see Factors causing cerebral palsy and life stage of occurrence for factors causing cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is less commonly caused by ‘birth trauma’ (ie if the baby required resuscitation at birth) than other causes. In the majority of cases, the cause occurs in the prenatal period and leaves the child more vulnerable to the rigors of the birthing process.

If the cause of the cerebral palsy is not known, magnetic resonance imaging and genetic testing, including microarray, should be performed. Urinary metabolic screening may reveal rare causes. Information about the cause of cerebral palsy is helpful for family to understand when and why the condition occurred, and informs accurate genetic counselling. In many cases, the cause of cerebral palsy remains unknown.