Can Premature Birth Increase Cerebral Palsy Risk?
Premature birth does raise the risk of cerebral palsy, a condition that affects muscle control and movement due to brain damage early in life. Babies born too soon, especially before 27 weeks or with very low birth weight, face much higher chances than full-term babies.
Cerebral palsy happens in about three out of every 1,000 live births overall. But for extremely preterm infants, the risk jumps dramatically. One large study of nearly 7,000 children born before 27 weeks found that 18.8 percent developed cerebral palsy. From 2008 to 2019, the odds rose by 11 percent each year in this group. Researchers say this increase ties to better medical care letting more high-risk babies survive. Improved diagnosis also plays a role in spotting more cases.
Premature babies make up 33 to 50 percent of all cerebral palsy cases. Their brains are still developing, making them vulnerable to issues like bleeding in the brain ventricles, infections such as late-onset sepsis, or lung problems needing long-term ventilators. These complications boost the odds even more.
Other factors linked to prematurity add to the risk, including very low birth weight under 3.3 pounds and perinatal adversity around birth. Not every premature baby gets cerebral palsy, but the earlier the birth, the greater the concern.
Doctors often spot signs in the first year, like delays in rolling over, sitting, or walking. Early care can help manage symptoms, from physical therapy to handling related issues like seizures or vision problems.
Sources
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://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/ataxic-cerebral-palsy
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12754938/
https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/cerebral-palsy
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2842660
