Is maternal drug use during pregnancy linked to cerebral palsy? Research shows some possible connections with certain medications like aspirin and acetaminophen, but no direct cause has been proven. Other drugs used in labor can also play a role if mishandled.
Cerebral palsy happens when a child’s brain gets damaged before, during, or right after birth. This damage affects movement, balance, and coordination. Most cases, about 85 to 90 percent, are congenital, meaning the injury occurs in the womb or at birth. Common causes include lack of oxygen to the brain, infections, or problems like the placenta pulling away too soon from the uterus. These issues cut off blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the baby.
When it comes to drugs during pregnancy, studies have looked at pain relievers like aspirin and acetaminophen, which is in medicines such as Tylenol. One large study from Denmark followed almost 190,000 mothers and their babies. It found that moms who took aspirin at least once while pregnant were 2.4 times more likely to have kids with a type of cerebral palsy called bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. For acetaminophen, there was a 30 to 60 percent higher chance of unilateral spastic cerebral palsy. But the researchers could not prove these drugs directly caused the condition. Other factors, like the mom’s health issues, might explain the link, so more research is needed.
Doctors sometimes give medications during pregnancy or labor to treat problems or help delivery. For example, drugs like Pitocin or Cytotec induce labor if contractions are weak. If the dose is too high, it can cause strong, frequent contractions that starve the baby of oxygen. This oxygen loss, called hypoxia, can lead to brain damage and cerebral palsy. Premature babies, who make up 33 to 50 percent of cases, face higher risks from underdeveloped organs and oxygen shortages.
Antihypertensive drugs for high blood pressure and opioids for pain or addiction have also been studied. A review looked at long-term effects of blood pressure meds on brain development, but results are not clear. For moms with opioid use disorder, treatments like buprenorphine seem safer for babies than no treatment. Still, misuse of any drug by doctors can lead to birth injuries through errors like wrong dosing or ignoring infections.
In low-resource areas, infections and oxygen problems during birth are big factors, but medications are not always the main focus. Overall, while some drugs raise concerns, experts stress talking to a doctor before taking anything while pregnant. Proper care helps avoid risks.
Sources:
https://www.bila.ca/does-aspirin-use-during-pregnancy-increase-the-risk-of-cerebral-palsy/
https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12748543/
https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jcv2.70080
https://www.sokolovelaw.com/birth-injuries/cerebral-palsy/medical-malpractice/
https://www.news-medical.net/condition/Cerebral-Palsy
https://childrenscerebralpalsy.com/news/
