Can Gestational Complications Cause Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy happens when the brain of a developing baby gets damaged, often leading to problems with movement, balance, and coordination. Yes, complications during pregnancy, known as gestational complications, can cause this damage and lead to cerebral palsy. These issues mainly harm the brain by cutting off oxygen or causing inflammation.
The placenta is like the baby’s lifeline in the womb, delivering oxygen, nutrients, and hormones. When problems hit the placenta, the baby can suffer. For example, placental abruption occurs when the placenta pulls away from the uterus too early. This cuts off the baby’s blood flow and oxygen, risking brain damage called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE, which may result in cerebral palsy. Another issue is placental insufficiency, common in pregnancies that go past the due date. It starves the baby of oxygen and nutrients, raising chances of premature birth and low birth weight, both linked to cerebral palsy.
The umbilical cord can also cause trouble. If it gets twisted or compressed, it blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the baby. This lack of oxygen can injure the brain and contribute to cerebral palsy.
Infections during pregnancy are a big risk too. Some germs cross the placenta and attack the baby’s brain. Common ones include cytomegalovirus, rubella, toxoplasmosis, Zika virus, herpes, syphilis, and chorioamnionitis, which infects the placenta and amniotic fluid. These spark inflammation, reduce oxygen, and disrupt brain cell growth, potentially causing cerebral palsy.
Even certain medications might play a role. A large study of nearly 190,000 pregnancies found that mothers who took aspirin had babies 2.4 times more likely to develop a type of cerebral palsy called bilateral spastic cerebral palsy.
Premature birth, often tied to these complications, adds more risk. Extremely preterm babies, born before 27 weeks, face higher rates of cerebral palsy due to issues like brain bleeds, infections such as sepsis, and lung problems that limit oxygen.
Not every case ties directly to one complication. Brain injuries can mix with genetic factors, but gestational problems are a key trigger in many instances.
Sources
https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy
https://www.pediatricorthopedicdoctor.in/2025/12/25/severe-infections-in-infants-leading-to-cerebral-palsy-causes-early-signs-and-prevention/
https://www.bila.ca/does-aspirin-use-during-pregnancy-increase-the-risk-of-cerebral-palsy/
https://childrenscerebralpalsy.com/research-update-increased-prevalence-of-cerebral-palsy-in-extremely-preterm-infants/
https://www.droracle.ai/articles/597766/how-can-a-pregnant-individual-with-cerebral-palsy-cp
https://cerebralpalsyguidance.com/2025/12/12/researchers-use-mri-to-diagnose-find-causes-of-cerebral-palsy-in-children/
