Is labor complications tied to cerebral palsy risk? Yes, certain complications during labor and delivery can increase the risk of cerebral palsy in babies, though they account for only a small portion of cases overall.
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a child’s movement and muscle tone. It often starts in early childhood and stems from brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth. While many factors play a role, issues tied to labor stand out in some situations.
One key labor complication is lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain. This can happen during delivery if there is prolonged labor, umbilical cord problems, or other delays. For example, oxygen deprivation from delayed cesarean sections or failure to respond to signs of fetal distress has been linked to cerebral palsy.https://www.grossmanjustice.com/new-jersey-cerebral-palsy-lawyer/https://www.bila.ca/does-aspirin-use-during-pregnancy-increase-the-risk-of-cerebral-palsy/ Medical experts note that such events are rarer than many think, causing cerebral palsy in just 5 to 10 percent of cases.https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/cerebral-palsy
Perinatal asphyxia, which means oxygen shortage around birth time, is another labor-related risk. This can lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a brain injury where lack of oxygen harms brain tissue. Studies show that babies facing this during labor have a higher chance of developing cerebral palsy, especially if they have certain genetic factors like specific variants in the MMP2 gene.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12731818/
Labor complications often overlap with other risks, such as preterm birth. Extremely preterm babies, born before 27 weeks, face higher cerebral palsy rates due to issues like brain bleeding or infections that can worsen during delivery. Better survival rates from improved care mean more of these vulnerable babies live, but with elevated risks.https://childrenscerebralpalsy.com/research-update-increased-prevalence-of-cerebral-palsy-in-extremely-preterm-infants/
Doctors monitor labor closely to spot problems early. Things like fetal heart rate changes or meconium in the amniotic fluid can signal risks. Quick action, such as assisted delivery or C-section, helps lower the chances of brain injury leading to cerebral palsy.
Sources
https://childrenscerebralpalsy.com/research-update-increased-prevalence-of-cerebral-palsy-in-extremely-preterm-infants/
https://www.bila.ca/does-aspirin-use-during-pregnancy-increase-the-risk-of-cerebral-palsy/
https://www.droracle.ai/articles/597766/how-can-a-pregnant-individual-with-cerebral-palsy-cp
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12731818/
https://www.grossmanjustice.com/new-jersey-cerebral-palsy-lawyer/
https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/cerebral-palsy
