Can extreme prematurity cause lifelong cerebral palsy? Yes, babies born extremely preterm, before 27 weeks of pregnancy, face a higher risk of developing cerebral palsy that often lasts a lifetime due to brain damage from their early arrival.
Extreme prematurity means a baby is born much too soon, when the brain and body are still forming. These tiny infants often need intensive care in a neonatal unit. A large study followed nearly 7,000 such babies across the US from 2008 to 2019. It found that cerebral palsy diagnoses are on the rise in this group. About 22 percent had moderate cerebral palsy, and 14 percent had the severe kind. This increase ties to better medical care letting more high-risk babies survive.
Cerebral palsy happens from damage to the parts of the brain that control movement. It shows up as stiff muscles, trouble walking, tremors, or weak coordination. These issues do not go away and can affect daily life forever. Many people with it need braces, walkers, or wheelchairs. Some also deal with vision problems, seizures, or learning challenges.
Why does extreme prematurity lead to this? The preterm brain is fragile. Common problems include bleeding in the brain’s ventricles, called intraventricular hemorrhage. Another is periventricular leukomalacia, where small brain areas die. Low birth weight, infections like sepsis after birth, and lung disease needing long ventilator support raise the odds even more.
Prematurity is one of the top risk factors for cerebral palsy, along with infections and low oxygen. Not every preterm baby gets it, but the link is strong. Better survival rates mean more cases are spotted early through improved checks.
Early therapy helps manage symptoms, but the brain damage is permanent. Families of these babies should watch for signs like floppy or stiff limbs and seek specialist care right away.
Sources
https://childrenscerebralpalsy.com/research-update-increased-prevalence-of-cerebral-palsy-in-extremely-preterm-infants/
https://cchp.ucsf.edu/resources/fact-sheets-families/cerebral-palsy
https://www.pediatricorthopedicdoctor.in/2025/12/25/severe-infections-in-infants-leading-to-cerebral-palsy-causes-early-signs-and-prevention/
https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/cerebral-palsy
https://www.hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/cerebral-palsy-information-folder-for-children-young-people-and-their-families/
https://cerebralpalsyguidance.com/2025/12/12/researchers-use-mri-to-diagnose-find-causes-of-cerebral-palsy-in-children/
https://www.dignityhealth.org/socal/services/baby-and-family/fetal-conditions/cerebral-palsy
