Can cord entanglement cause cerebral palsy?
Cord entanglement happens when the umbilical cord wraps around a baby’s body or neck during pregnancy or birth. This can squeeze the cord and cut off blood flow and oxygen to the baby. Without enough oxygen, the brain can get hurt in ways that lead to cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects how a baby moves and controls their muscles. It comes from damage to the developing brain, often before, during, or right after birth. Birth injuries rank high among the main causes of this condition. One key problem is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE. This is brain damage from lack of oxygen. HIE often shows up during labor or delivery and can cause cerebral palsy along with other issues like learning problems or developmental delays.
In some pregnancies, like with twins who share a placenta, cord entanglement is more common. These monochorionic twins face higher risks because their cords can tangle or get compressed. This reduces blood flow and starves the brain of oxygen, raising the chance of HIE and brain injuries that turn into cerebral palsy. Doctors watch these pregnancies closely because the entanglement can be life-threatening if not caught early.
Any time the brain misses oxygen or blood, even for a short period, it raises the risk of lasting harm. The longer the lack of oxygen, the worse the damage can be to the brain, heart, kidneys, or other organs. Medical teams use monitors to spot trouble like odd heart patterns. If they miss these signs or delay help, like a quick C-section, the baby faces more danger.
Other brain injuries tied to birth problems can also play a role. For example, periventricular leukomalacia, or PVL, hits premature babies hard. It creates dead spots in the brain’s white matter from poor blood flow or oxygen loss. PVL leads to movement issues, delays, and higher odds of cerebral palsy. Bleeding in the brain, called intracranial hemorrhage, causes similar troubles with speaking, moving, or learning.
Cord entanglement does not always cause cerebral palsy on its own. Many babies with tangled cords are born healthy if caught in time. But when it leads to oxygen loss and doctors do not act fast, it becomes a real risk factor.
Sources
https://www.sokolovelaw.com/birth-injuries/causes/
https://www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk/birth-injury-claims/guides/a-guide-to-multiple-births-and-twin-pregnancies/
https://www.beamlegalteam.com/blog/birth-injuries-in-multiples-why-twins-and-triplets-face-higher-risks/
