Is gestational infection tied to cerebral palsy? Yes, research shows a clear link between certain infections during pregnancy or shortly after birth and a higher risk of cerebral palsy in babies. These infections can harm the developing brain by causing swelling, reduced oxygen, or direct damage.
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone. It often stems from brain injury or abnormal development before, during, or soon after birth. One key risk factor is maternal infection during pregnancy. When a mother gets an infection, it can pass to the baby in the womb. This leads to inflammation in the brain, cuts off oxygen supply, and raises the chance of conditions like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE, which damages brain cells.
Specific infections tied to this risk include chorioamnionitis, an inflammation of the fetal membranes; cytomegalovirus, a common virus; meningitis and encephalitis, which attack the brain and its coverings; and others like German measles or rubella, chickenpox, toxoplasmosis, and syphilis. Sexually transmitted infections such as herpes simplex virus and HIV also pose dangers by triggering swelling or widespread inflammation called neonatal sepsis. Even post-birth infections like meningitis in newborns can cause lasting brain harm.
Untreated infections may lead to jaundice, where high bilirubin levels yellow the skin and further threaten the brain. High fevers from any infection in early infancy, including flu, might spark movement problems that show up as cerebral palsy symptoms later. Studies in various regions confirm infections as a top antenatal risk factor, often alongside issues like bleeding or preterm birth.
While not every infection causes cerebral palsy, and other factors like genetics or oxygen loss play roles, preventing and treating infections early is vital. Doctors stress good prenatal care to spot and manage these risks.
Sources
https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy
https://www.bila.ca/does-aspirin-use-during-pregnancy-increase-the-risk-of-cerebral-palsy/
https://cchp.ucsf.edu/resources/fact-sheets-families/cerebral-palsy
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12748543/
https://childrenscerebralpalsy.com/news/
https://cerebralpalsyguidance.com/2025/12/12/researchers-use-mri-to-diagnose-find-causes-of-cerebral-palsy-in-children/
https://www.dignityhealth.org/north-state/services/womens-services/maternity-care/fetal-conditions/cerebral-palsy
