Cerebral Palsy Causes
Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage or abnormal brain development that affects muscle control and movement. The injury usually happens before birth, during delivery, or in the first few years of life. Medical negligence during labor or delivery can sometimes be a cause of cerebral palsy. Learn more about cerebral palsy causes and what to do if you suspect your child has CP.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
The most common cause of cerebral palsy is damage to the brain during childbirth. Depending on which part of the brain was damaged, different types of cerebral palsy may occur. Brain injuries can permanently affect a child's motor control, balance, coordination, and overall ability to control their muscles.
Abnormal development of the brain can also cause cerebral palsy. The damage affects areas of the brain that control movement, posture, and coordination, such as the motor cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, or white matter.
Nearly 70% of cerebral palsy cases are linked to birth injuries. Find out if a birth injury caused your child's CP by speaking with a cerebral palsy lawyer and getting a free case review now.
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What Causes Cerebral Palsy During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, certain conditions can disrupt normal brain development. Problems with blood flow, nutrient delivery, or infection in the mother can all affect the baby’s brain health.
Examples of pregnancy-related risks include:
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Maternal infections such as cytomegalovirus, rubella, or toxoplasmosis
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Placental or umbilical cord problems reducing oxygen supply
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Genetic changes or developmental abnormalities
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Exposure to harmful substances or toxins
These issues are especially harmful in the early stages of development when the brain is most fragile. Doctors will typically monitor these risks through prenatal care, but complications are not always preventable.
Cerebral Palsy Risk Factors
Many cases of cerebral palsy are a result of natural medical conditions that affect brain growth or oxygen supply. These problems can occur before birth, during labor, or even after delivery in the early years of life. The timing of the injury often determines how severe the disability will be and what areas of movement are affected.
Complications During Delivery
The process of labor and delivery can sometimes put a baby’s brain under stress. Long or difficult labors can also cause drops in oxygen levels, which is one of the most common reasons for brain injury. Premature babies are especially at risk during this stage because their organs and blood vessels are not fully developed.
Some complications at birth include:
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Oxygen deprivation (hypoxia or asphyxia)
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Prolonged or obstructed labor
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Placental abruption or uterine rupture
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Premature birth complications
Health Risks After Birth
Even once a baby is born, the brain is still vulnerable in the first months and years of life. If certain health problems are left untreated, it can cause brain damage leading to cerebral palsy. Some of these conditions may involve infections, blood disorders, or physical injury.
Common postnatal causes include:
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Severe or untreated jaundice
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Infections such as meningitis or encephalitis
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Strokes or blood clotting disorders
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Traumatic brain injuries from accidents or falls
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Breathing problems or untreated seizures
Prematurity and Low Birth Weight
Babies born premature or weighing less than 5.5 pounds face a much higher risk of brain injury. Their underdeveloped brains and fragile blood vessels make them especially vulnerable. This is one of the strongest predictors of cerebral palsy.
Multiple Births
Twins, triplets, and other multiple births add strain on both the pregnancy and delivery. They often deliver early, face growth restrictions, or compete for oxygen and nutrients in the womb. These challenges significantly raise the risk of CP.
Maternal Health Conditions
Pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, thyroid disease, or diabetes can all disrupt normal fetal development. When blood pressure, blood sugar, or hormone levels are not controlled, the baby’s oxygen supply can be reduced.
Head Trauma
Injuries to a baby’s head, whether from accidents, falls, or abuse, can damage the brain and lead to cerebral palsy. Even minor trauma can cause bleeding, swelling, or oxygen deprivation that affects developing brain tissue.
Does Cerebral Palsy Affect the Brain?
Yes, and the effects of cerebral palsy depend largely on which parts of the brain are injured. Different regions control movement, coordination, and muscle tone, so the type of CP often reflects where the damage occurred. Some children may have injury in just one area, while others may have multiple regions affected, leading to mixed cerebral palsy.
Learn about the different areas of the brain that can be damaged and how to identify the variations between different types of cerebral palsy.
Motor Cortex – Spastic CP
The motor cortex is responsible for voluntary movement. Damage here often causes spastic cerebral palsy, the most common type. Stiff muscles, exaggerated reflexes, and difficulty with smooth, controlled movement are the most common symptoms. Children may walk on their toes, cross their legs, or move with a scissoring gait.
Basal Ganglia – Dyskinetic CP
The basal ganglia help regulate movement control, especially starting and stopping motions. When injured, it often leads to dyskinetic cerebral palsy, where children have twisting, writhing, or jerky involuntary movements. These motions make it difficult to hold objects, speak clearly, or maintain posture.
Cerebellum – Ataxic CP
The cerebellum controls balance and coordination. Damage here commonly results in ataxic cerebral palsy, which is characterized by shaky, unsteady movements, poor depth perception, and difficulty with tasks like writing or buttoning clothes. Children with ataxic CP may walk with a wide, staggering gait.
White Matter – Prematurity-Linked CP
White matter is the brain’s communication network, sending signals between regions. Injury to white matter, particularly periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) in premature babies, can cause widespread motor problems. Children with this injury may develop spastic diplegia, where stiffness and movement problems mainly affect the legs.
Can Cerebral Palsy Be Caused by Medical Malpractice?
Cerebral palsy can sometimes be traced to medical malpractice during pregnancy, delivery, or shortly after birth. When healthcare providers fail to follow proper standards of care, preventable brain injuries may occur. These errors can include ignoring warning signs such as fetal distress, delaying a C-section, or the misuse of delivery tools.
Below are the most common signs of cerebral palsy related medical negligence:
Negligence Before Birth (Prenatal)
Mistakes during pregnancy care can put the baby at serious risk of brain injury. Negligence in this stage often comes from failing to test, treat, or respond to complications that can directly harm the developing brain. Examples of prenatal malpractice include:
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Failure to diagnose or treat maternal infections such as rubella, toxoplasmosis, or cytomegalovirus.
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Ignoring signs of preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.
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Prescribing unsafe medications that harm fetal development.
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Not detecting restricted blood flow or growth problems on ultrasounds.
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Failing to act when there is evidence of placental abruption.
Negligence During Delivery (Perinatal)
The labor and delivery process carries some of the highest risks for cerebral palsy. Inadequate monitoring or delayed action can cause oxygen loss, trauma, or stroke. Common perinatal malpractice includes:
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Failure to monitor and respond to fetal distress.
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Delaying, neglecting, or performing an improper C-section.
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Misuse of assisted delivery tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors.
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Allowing prolonged labor that deprives the baby of oxygen.
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Failure to address umbilical cord problems.
Perinatal negligence is one of the most frequent malpractice claims connected to cerebral palsy.
Negligence After Birth (Postnatal)
Cerebral palsy may also result from failures in newborn care after delivery. Newborns can deteriorate quickly, and delays of even hours can cause irreversible damage. Postnatal negligence may include:
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Failure to diagnose or treat severe jaundice (kernicterus).
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Delayed responses to neonatal seizures or infection.
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Allowing untreated respiratory distress or low oxygen.
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Improper handling of head trauma after birth.
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Failing to treat hypoglycemia or metabolic issues.
Quick Fact: Not all cases of cerebral palsy are caused by negligence. However, if you suspect medical malpractice may have caused your child's cerebral palsy, don't wait to get legal help. Contact us today for a free case review and get the support your child deserves.
The average lifetime cost to care for a child with cerebral palsy is over $1.6 million. Find out if your child is eligible for legal compensation. Get a free case review now.
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Is Cerebral Palsy Genetic?
Cerebral palsy is not considered a genetic disorder, but may play a role in increasing a child’s risk in some cases. A 2023 study from JAMA Pediatrics suggests that up to one in four children with cerebral palsy may have an underlying genetic contribution, though most cases are still linked to brain injury or abnormal brain development.
What the Research Says
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Studies have identified gene mutations linked to brain development, motor control, and muscle function that may contribute to CP in certain cases.
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Genetic factors are believed to account for only a small percentage of CP diagnoses compared to causes such as oxygen deprivation, infections, or complications during delivery.
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Because symptoms of CP overlap with other neurological conditions, doctors may recommend genetic testing to rule out other inherited disorders.
- New studies are showing links between birth defects and asphyxia, which are significant factors in cerebral palsy.
As of 2025, no predominant gene has been identified in the cause of cerebral palsy.
Quote: “This study shows 24.5% of CP cases have a genetic diagnostic rate, highlighting the diverse genetic aetiologies that contribute to the condition.” (National Institutes of Health - Wang et al., 2024)
How to Prevent Cerebral Palsy
Not all cases of CP can be prevented, but certain steps can help lower risks and protect brain health. Good prenatal care, infection screening, and management of maternal health conditions reduce many complications.
Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and environmental toxins also plays a role in healthy brain development. During labor, careful monitoring and swift action in emergencies can prevent oxygen loss and brain injury.
After birth, treating jaundice, infections, seizures, or respiratory problems right away gives a newborn the best chance to avoid lasting damage.
- Stay up to date on vaccinations
- Understand your blood type - Rh incompatibility can increase risks of medical issues which can cause cerebral palsy.
- Live a healthy lifestyle - Healthy diet, regular exercise, and sleeping well promotes a healthier pregnancy.
- Attend all of your prenatal care appointments - Oftentimes, signs of distress or abnormal fetal development can be spotted and addressed early on.
- Stay away from alcohol, tobacco, and other illicit drugs.
- Protect your newborn baby from accidental falls or injuries. Keeping your baby up to date on infections such as jaundice, and getting treatment as soon as you notice.
Legal Help and Support
If you believe medical negligence caused your child’s cerebral palsy, you have the right to answers and accountability. A legal settlement can provide financial resources for your child's long-term care, therapy, and support. Get a free case review now to learn if malpractice played a role and whether your family may be entitled to legal compensation.
Many cases of cerebral palsy are caused by preventable birth injuries. If you think your child's CP was due to medical negligence, contact us now and get a free case review at zero cost.
Case reviews are 100% free.
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Cerebral Palsy Causes FAQs
Written and Medically Reviewed by:
Cerebral Palsy Hub Team
Cerebral Palsy Hub was founded to help support children and their families with cerebral palsy and to create a safe space for those affected. We strive to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information, and tools to help give your child the life they deserve.
Last Updated: September 14, 2025
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