Maternal infections during pregnancy can increase the risk of cerebral palsy in babies by causing inflammation, reduced oxygen to the brain, or direct infection that leads to brain damage.[1][3][4]
Cerebral palsy happens when a baby’s brain gets injured before, during, or soon after birth. This damage affects movement and muscle control for life. One key risk comes from infections in the mother. These can pass to the baby through the placenta or during delivery.[1][3]
For example, chorioamnionitis is an infection of the amniotic fluid and membranes around the baby. Bacteria from the mother’s vagina can travel up to the uterus, especially after the water breaks. This infects the fetus and can spread to the brain, causing meningitis, which is swelling around the brain and spinal cord.[3]
Group B Streptococcus, or GBS, is a common bacteria many women carry without knowing. It can cause chorioamnionitis or infect the baby at birth, leading to meningitis and brain harm.[3]
Other infections like cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, HIV, meningitis, encephalitis, and even influenza raise the risk too. They trigger swelling in the baby’s brain, cut off oxygen, or cause whole-body inflammation called neonatal sepsis.[1]
High fever from any infection in newborns can also damage the brain permanently. Untreated issues like jaundice from infections add to the danger by harming brain cells.[1]
Infections often team up with other problems, like low oxygen or preterm birth, to cause cerebral palsy. Studies show inflammation from these plays a big role in brain injury.[2][6]
Not every maternal infection leads to cerebral palsy. Quick treatment helps prevent spread to the baby. Doctors screen for GBS and treat fevers or signs of infection right away.[3]
Research links higher levels of certain proteins, like MMPs, in infected pregnancies to more brain damage risk. These proteins break down brain barriers during inflammation.[2]
Sources:
https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12731818/
https://www.rwkgoodman.com/injury/birth-injury-claims/cerebral-palsy-claims/cerebral-palsy-guide-causes-symptoms-legal/
https://www.childbirthinjuries.com/cerebral-palsy/frequently-asked-questions/
https://cerebralpalsyguidance.com/2025/12/12/researchers-use-mri-to-diagnose-find-causes-of-cerebral-palsy-in-children/
https://childrenscerebralpalsy.com/news/
