Neonatal distress can contribute to cerebral palsy in some cases, but it does not always cause it. Cerebral palsy happens when the brain gets damaged early in life, often before, during, or right after birth, leading to problems with movement, balance, and coordination.
Newborns face neonatal distress when they struggle with breathing, low oxygen, or other issues soon after birth. This distress might come from a tough delivery, like when the baby does not get enough oxygen because labor lasts too long or doctors miss signs of trouble. For example, failure to do a quick cesarean section during fetal distress can lead to oxygen deprivation, which weakens brain blood vessels and causes bleeding or injury. This kind of brain damage, called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or HIE, often links to cerebral palsy later on.
Oxygen shortages during birth, known as birth asphyxia, strain the babys heart and brain. Without steady oxygen, brain cells die, affecting motor skills and causing delays in walking or grabbing objects. Placenta problems or a tangled umbilical cord can cut off oxygen too, raising the risk of these injuries.
Infections add to the danger. Neonatal infections like meningitis hit the brain and spinal cord hard, sparking fevers that damage tissue and lead to movement issues like cerebral palsy. High bilirubin levels or low blood sugar, if not treated fast, harm the brain in newborns, especially premature ones.
Not all cerebral palsy ties to distress at birth, though. Recent studies show genetics play a big role in many cases, with birth issues like asphyxia being less common than once thought. Brain bleeds from rough delivery tools or poor care of high-risk moms, such as those with preeclampsia, can also trigger it.
In places with limited medical resources, home births, no cry at birth, and HIE strongly link to worse cerebral palsy symptoms. Quick action during distress, like better monitoring and fast treatment, can lower these risks.
Sources:
https://powlesslaw.com/newborn-brain-bleeds-ich-causes-symptoms-and-malpractice/
https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy
https://www.grossmanjustice.com/new-jersey-cerebral-palsy-lawyer/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12748543/
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07059702
https://www.sokolovelaw.com/birth-injuries/causes/
https://www.bila.ca/birth-injuries/cerebral-palsy/types/
https://www.rwkgoodman.com/injury/birth-injury-claims/cerebral-palsy-claims/cerebral-palsy-guide-causes-symptoms-legal/
https://www.jimmymulzetstory.com/detecting-cerebral-palsy-infancy-guide/
