Complications in Fetus During Pregnancy

Çerebral Palsy can also be caused by complication to the fetus during pregnancy, or said another way, due to fetal complications.

Genetic: mutations in genes responsible for brain development can prevent the brain from developing normally; Chromosomal abnormalities. Genetics play a part in cerebral palsy; CP surfaces in cultures where it is common for related individuals to marry. Other indications that cerebral can be genetic: in families were CP has occurred, chances are much higher that it will happen again when compared to families with no history of CP. If one twin dies in utero or after birth, there is an increased chance that the surviving twin will develop CP even if they are not identical twins. If the twins are the same sex, this likelihood is increased even more (monochorionicity).

Damage to white matter of the brain: Damage to white matter of the brain causes Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) leading to cerebral palsy. This damage is caused due to various factors such as maternal or fetal infections. In 26 to 34 weeks of gestation period, the periventricular white matter is vulnerable to injury

Faulty brain development: could be due to an interruption in the normal brain growth during fetal development. Factors such as mutations to the genes controlling brain development, infections, fevers, trauma and other unhealthy conditions in the womb prevent the normal development of brain

Strokes: strokes can happen at any age — even before birth. Strokes can occur when clots in the placenta interrupt the flow of blood to the baby. Strokes can also occur if malformed or weak blood vessels leak blood into the brain. Fetal stroke suffered by babies in the womb due to placental blood clots and bleeding inside the brain due to a blockage of blood vessels (intracranial hemorrhage). Maternal hypertension or maternal pelvic inflammatory diseases increase the risk of fetal stroke

Lack of oxygen to brain: Damage to the brain can be caused by a lack of oxygen or poor supply of oxygen (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or intrapartum asphyxia) leading to destruction of tissue in the cerebral motor cortex or other areas of the brain. Maternal hypotension, rupture of uterus, detachment of placenta or problems involving the umbilical cord leads to a brain damage.

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