Is maternal fever tied to cerebral palsy? Research shows a possible connection through infections that cause fever in mothers during pregnancy or in newborns after birth, as these can lead to brain inflammation and damage. However, no studies directly prove maternal fever alone causes cerebral palsy, and other factors like preterm birth and oxygen loss play bigger roles.
Cerebral palsy happens when the brain gets injured around the time of birth, affecting movement and muscle control. One way this injury occurs is from infections passed from mother to baby. Maternal infections during pregnancy, such as chorioamnionitis or cytomegalovirus, can spark inflammation in the baby’s brain and cut off oxygen supply. This raises the risk of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a type of brain damage linked to cerebral palsy.[2]
Fever often signals these infections. Any infection causing high fever in a newborn, even something common like influenza, has the potential to harm the brain permanently. In babies, high fever from meningitis or other bugs can swell the brain or spinal cord, leading to symptoms of cerebral palsy later on.[2]
Prolonged rupture of membranes, or PROM, is another issue. When a mother’s water breaks too early and stays broken for 24 hours or more, it triggers inflammation marked by higher C-reactive protein levels in the baby, even without a clear infection. Studies from Norway link this to a higher chance of cerebral palsy, possibly due to hidden inflammation or stress rather than fever itself.[1]
Premature babies face even steeper odds. Over half of kids with cerebral palsy are born early, and those under 28 weeks have the highest risk, up to 15% for births between 24 and 27 weeks. Infections and fevers hit these tiny babies hardest, worsening brain risks.[2]
Not every fever leads to trouble. Doctors watch for signs like elevated inflammation markers and treat with antibiotics if needed. Still, preventing infections through good prenatal care helps lower the overall risk.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12735826/
https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy
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://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1636667/full
