Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. It happens when the developing brain is injured or does not grow in a typical way. Many parents want to know whether infections during pregnancy can play a role in this kind of brain injury.
The short answer is yes. Certain maternal infections can increase the risk that a baby will develop cerebral palsy, but they are usually one part of a bigger picture that includes other risk factors and events before, during, or shortly after birth.
What is cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy, often called CP, is caused by damage to parts of the brain that control movement and coordination. This damage usually occurs:
• During pregnancy
• During labor and delivery
• In the first months or years of life
Because the brain is still developing, injuries at these stages can have long lasting effects on muscle control, coordination, balance, and sometimes speech or learning abilities.https://www.cerebralpalsyguide.com/cerebral-palsy/statistics/https://cerebralpalsyguidance.com/2025/12/12/researchers-use-mri-to-diagnose-find-causes-of-cerebral-palsy-in-children/
Most cases of CP begin before birth. One large summary of data suggests that roughly 70 percent of CP cases start during pregnancy, while up to 30 percent are linked mainly to problems around the time of labor and delivery. A smaller number, about 10 percent, are caused by brain injury or infection after birth.https://www.cerebralpalsyguide.com/cerebral-palsy/statistics/
How infections can affect the baby’s brain
Infections can hurt a developing brain in several ways:
1. Direct infection of the brain or its coverings
Some germs can cross the placenta or infect the baby around the time of birth, then spread to the brain or the tissues that cover it. This can lead to conditions like meningitis or encephalitis that directly damage brain cells and the connections between them.https://www.childbirthinjuries.com/cerebral-palsy/causes/neonatal-infection/https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy
2. Inflammation
Infection often leads to inflammation, the body’s immune response to fight germs. In a tiny developing brain, too much inflammation can damage delicate tissues. Swelling may also disrupt normal blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain.https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsyhttps://www.childbirthinjuries.com/cerebral-palsy/causes/neonatal-infection/
3. Reduced oxygen supply
Some infections can lead to fever, low blood pressure, or problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, all of which can lower the amount of oxygen reaching the baby’s brain. A shortage of oxygen and blood flow increases the risk of hypoxic ischemic brain injury, which is strongly linked to cerebral palsy.https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsyhttps://www.sokolovelaw.com/birth-injuries/cerebral-palsy/causes/
4. Indirect complications
Severe infections can trigger problems such as sepsis or severe jaundice. Jaundice is caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood; if it becomes extreme and is not treated, it can lead to a form of brain damage called kernicterus, which can result in cerebral palsy.https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsyhttps://www.sokolovelaw.com/birth-injuries/cerebral-palsy/causes/
Types of maternal infections linked with higher CP risk
Research and clinical reports have identified several kinds of maternal and fetal infections that may raise the risk of cerebral palsy.
Maternal infections during pregnancy
Infections in the mother that are considered risk factors include:https://www.triumphtherapeutics.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy-understanding-risk-factors-and-early-support/https://www.sokolovelaw.com/birth-injuries/cerebral-palsy/causes/
• Sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis and herpes
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• German measles, also called rubella
• Measles and chickenpox
• Toxoplasmosis, often related to undercooked meat or contact with cat feces
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
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