Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent movement disorders caused by damage to the developing brain, often occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. Among the many factors linked to CP, **maternal infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and toxoplasmosis have been studied extensively for their potential role in causing or increasing the risk of cerebral palsy**.
**Maternal infections and inflammation during pregnancy can lead to brain injury in the fetus**, which is a key underlying cause of cerebral palsy. The placenta, which connects the mother and fetus, plays a critical role in this process. When infections occur, they can trigger an inflammatory response in the placenta and fetal environment, potentially harming the developing brain. This inflammation can disrupt normal brain development, impair myelin formation (the protective sheath around nerve fibers), and cause neuroinflammation, all of which contribute to brain injury linked to CP[1].
**Chorioamnionitis**, an infection and inflammation of the fetal membranes (chorion and amnion), is one of the most studied maternal infections associated with cerebral palsy. It involves the infiltration of immune cells like neutrophils and macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface, releasing cytokines and chemokines that propagate inflammation. Severe or advanced chorioamnionitis has been linked to an increased risk of cerebral palsy, especially in preterm infants, by causing damage to the brain’s white matter and other critical areas[1][4].
**Cytomegalovirus (CMV)** is a common viral infection that can be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy. Congenital CMV infection is a well-established cause of neurological damage, including microcephaly, hearing loss, and motor impairments that can manifest as cerebral palsy. CMV infects the fetal brain directly, causing inflammation and disrupting normal brain development. Studies have shown that infants with congenital CMV have a higher risk of developing cerebral palsy due to this brain injury[2].
**Toxoplasmosis**, caused by the parasite *Toxoplasma gondii*, is another maternal infection linked to cerebral palsy. When a pregnant woman acquires toxoplasmosis, the parasite can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, leading to brain inflammation, calcifications, and damage to neural tissue. This infection can cause cerebral dysgenesis (abnormal brain development), which increases the risk of motor disorders including cerebral palsy[2].
Beyond CMV and toxoplasmosis, other infections such as **Ureaplasma** and bacterial infections causing chorioamnionitis have also been studied for their role in fetal brain injury. Some studies suggest that Ureaplasma infection during pregnancy may be associated with brain injury and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, though findings are mixed and more research is needed to clarify this link[5].
The types of brain damage caused by these infections and the resulting inflammation include:
– **Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE):** Reduced oxygen and blood flow to the brain, which can be worsened by infection-related inflammation, leading to brain cell death in motor areas[2].
– **Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL):** Damage to the white matter near the brain’s ventricles, often caused by inflammation and reduced blood flow, a major ris
