Is low birth weight tied to cerebral palsy? Yes, low birth weight is a recognized risk factor for cerebral palsy, often linked to preterm birth and related brain injuries in newborns.
Babies born with low birth weight, typically under 2,500 grams or about 5.5 pounds, face higher chances of developing cerebral palsy. This condition affects movement and muscle tone due to brain damage around birth or early infancy. Prematurity, which often causes low birth weight, plays a big role. Preterm babies have fragile brains that are prone to injuries like white matter damage from lack of oxygen or bleeding.
Studies show that low birth weight ties closely to specific brain patterns seen on MRI scans in children with cerebral palsy. For example, predominant white matter injury, the most common type, links to preterm birth and low birth weight. These babies often have better motor outcomes than others but still face challenges. Perinatal issues, like oxygen shortages during birth, add to the risk when combined with low birth weight.
Not every low birth weight baby gets cerebral palsy, and some full-term babies do too. Genetics and other factors, like certain gene patterns, can influence who develops it after birth stress. Brain scans help spot these risks early, confirming damage tied to low weight at birth.
Pregnant people with cerebral palsy themselves also have higher odds of delivering low birth weight or preterm babies, creating a cycle of risks. Stable care during pregnancy helps lower these chances.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12754938/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12731818/
https://www.droracle.ai/articles/597766/how-can-a-pregnant-individual-with-cerebral-palsy-cp
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2842660
