# Does Placental Infection Increase Cerebral Palsy Risk?
Placental infections, particularly a condition called chorioamnionitis, carry significant risks for developing babies. When a mother experiences an infection in the amniotic sac during pregnancy, it can have serious consequences for the child’s brain development and increase the likelihood of cerebral palsy.
Maternal infections during pregnancy can transfer to the unborn child in the womb. These neonatal infections cause inflammation within the brain and reduce oxygen supply, putting babies at risk for brain injuries that can lead to cerebral palsy. Chorioamnionitis is one of the infections specifically linked to brain damage and cerebral palsy risk. Other infections that carry similar dangers include meningitis, encephalitis, and cytomegalovirus, as well as certain sexually transmitted diseases like herpes simplex virus and HIV.
The connection between infection and cerebral palsy works through a specific mechanism. When intrauterine infections occur, they often result in preterm birth and complications of prematurity, including intracranial hemorrhage. These complications can cause the brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy. Additionally, any infection that causes high fever in infancy has the potential to cause irreversible brain damage. Even common infections like influenza can result in movement disorders and other cerebral palsy symptoms later in childhood.
Beyond direct infection, placental problems related to infection can indirectly cause cerebral palsy. Placental abruption, where the placenta prematurely detaches from the uterine wall, can weaken or destroy the placenta’s ability to provide oxygenated blood and nutrients to the baby. Placental insufficiency, where the placenta improperly functions and deprives the baby of oxygen and nutrients, may result in premature birth and low birth weight, which are both common risk factors for cerebral palsy. Untreated placental complications become an indirect cause for cerebral palsy by increasing the baby’s risk for neonatal brain damage.
Research has developed ways to detect these dangerous infections. Medical professionals can measure inflammatory markers in maternal blood and amniotic fluid to identify intrauterine infections. High levels of certain markers like IL-6 and procalcitonin in maternal plasma are significantly associated with impending preterm delivery and infection. These diagnostic tools help doctors identify infections early so they can take steps to protect the developing baby.
The relationship between placental infection and cerebral palsy is part of a broader understanding that cerebral palsy rarely has a single, simple cause. Genetics, environmental factors, and combinations of the two can all cause cerebral palsy. Infections represent one of the environmental factors that can trigger the brain damage leading to this condition.
Sources
https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy
