Can Premature Delivery Cause Cerebral Palsy?
Premature delivery, when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, raises the risk of cerebral palsy, a condition that affects muscle control and movement due to brain damage or abnormal brain development. It does not always cause cerebral palsy, but it makes babies more vulnerable to brain injuries that can lead to it.
Babies born too early, especially those under 27 weeks or with very low birth weight, face higher chances of this problem. Recent studies show that cerebral palsy diagnoses are increasing in these extremely preterm infants. This rise comes from better medical care that helps more fragile babies survive, even those at greatest risk. For example, about 22 percent of these babies develop moderate cerebral palsy, and 14 percent get the severe form.
Why does prematurity increase the risk? Preterm babies have brains that are still developing and are sensitive to harm. Common issues include bleeding in the brain, called intraventricular hemorrhage, or periventricular leukomalacia, where small areas of brain tissue die. These often happen because of changes in blood flow around the brain’s fluid-filled spaces. Low oxygen during or after birth, infections like sepsis, and lung problems such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia also play a role.
Premature infants are prone to other complications too. They may suffer from lack of oxygen, known as hypoxia, which kills brain cells. Severe jaundice can lead to bilirubin building up and damaging deep brain areas that control movement. Breech births, where the baby comes feet first, and multiple pregnancies add to the risks.
Not every preterm baby gets cerebral palsy. Factors like infections during pregnancy or birth, such as group B strep or meningitis, can worsen outcomes. Growth issues in the womb or blood clotting problems also contribute. While labor complications cause only 5 to 10 percent of cases, they can overlap with prematurity.
Doctors track these babies closely in the neonatal unit to spot problems early. Advances in care have improved survival rates, but families should know the ongoing risks.
Sources
https://cchp.ucsf.edu/resources/fact-sheets-families/cerebral-palsy
https://childrenscerebralpalsy.com/research-update-increased-prevalence-of-cerebral-palsy-in-extremely-preterm-infants/
https://www.pediatricorthopedicdoctor.in/2025/12/25/severe-infections-in-infants-leading-to-cerebral-palsy-causes-early-signs-and-prevention/
https://www.sokolovelaw.com/birth-injuries/causes/
https://www.rwkgoodman.com/injury/birth-injury-claims/cerebral-palsy-claims/cerebral-palsy-guide-causes-symptoms-legal/
https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/cerebral-palsy
https://cerebralpalsyguidance.com/2025/12/12/researchers-use-mri-to-diagnose-find-causes-of-cerebral-palsy-in-children/
https://www.dignityhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/neurology/cerebral-palsy
