As the baby’s red blood cells are destroyed by antibodies produced from the mother’s body, there is a decrease in the normal number of red blood cells resulting in anemia. Names for this kind of anemia are: erythroblastosis fetalis, anemia hemolytic newborn, anemia newborn hemolytic, hemolytic anemia newborn, or newborn hemolytic anemia. In cases of severe anemia, there is an enlargement of the liver and spleen.

The liquid surrounding the fetus during pregnancy. It is contained within the amniotic sac and provides nourishment and protection to the unborn baby. Amniotic fluid:

• provides a protective cushion from trauma suffered by the mother which may affect the baby
• keeps the umbilical cord from becoming compressed which would reduce a baby's oxygen supply,
• helps sustain a slightly warmer environment for the fetus than the mother’s body (usually about 99.7° F)
• reflects the baby’s urine output, which is indicative of the baby’s well-being

Too much (polyhydramnios) or too little (oligohydramnio) amniotic fluid can indicate a problem with either the mother or unborn child.

The thin-walled bag in which the fetus develops. It contains the fetus and the amniotic fluid.

A vaginal condition which results from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the. Symptoms can include a vaginal drainage and foul odor, however, many women actually have no symptoms at all. Although doctors don’t know what causes this condition, factors such as multiple or new sexual partners, douching and smoking increase the chances of developing it. Bacterial vaginosis is not dangerous, however, in pregnancy it can cause babies to be born prematurely or with a low birth weight and can cause infection of the amniotic fluid or of the uterus after delivery. While bacterial vaginosis is treatable with antibiotics, most studies show that treatment of this condition in pregnant women who do not have any symptoms does not decrease the incidence of premature births.

A brownish yellow substance produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells. Normally bilirubin is carried in the blood, passes through the liver where it is broken down and is then excreted as bile through the intestines. Jaundice, the yellow discoloration seen in the skin and whites of the eyes, is indication that bilirubin levels are high and that something has gone wrong with this process. If untreated, excessively high levels of bilirubin in a newborn can cause kernicterus (a form of brain damage), cerebral palsy, physical abnormalities, deafness, problems with eye movements, and even death. Treatments to help lower bilirubin levels can include phototherapy (special lights which help break down the bilirubin) and blood transfusion.

Means dealing with the cerebrum. The cerebrum or telencephalon, together with the diencephalon, constitute the forebrain, along with the frontal lobe. For more information, click here.

is technically an all encompassing term which refers to a group of disorders that cause profound physical problems in infants and children and leave permanent disability.

Other common misspellings include:

• cerbral palsy
• cerebral palsey
• celebral palsy
• cerebal palsy
• celebral palsy
• cerebral pulsy
• ccerebral paulsy

For more information, click here.

is a modifiers of the term Cerebral Palsy to classify the severity of the condition. The manifestations of Mild Cerebral Palsy are sometimes subtle in contrast with Severe Cerebral Palsy where the disease is identifiable immediately and severely disabling.

is a modifiers of the term Cerebral Palsy to classify the severity of the condition. The manifestations of Mild Cerebral Palsy are sometimes subtle in contrast with Severe Cerebral Palsy where the disease is identifiable immediately and severely disabling.

Cerebral Palsy organization, Cerebral Palsy associations, Cerebral Palsy association of are terms or search terms that primarily relate to United Cerebral Palsy, the UCP.

is the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP). The UCP is the leading advocacy organization committed to change and progress for persons with disabilities. Founded in 1949, the national organization and its nationwide network of affiliates strive to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every facet of society—from the Web to the workplace, from the classroom to the community. As one of the largest health charities in America, the mission of United Cerebral Palsy is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.

means the way in which someone with Cerebral Palsy moves or walks.

means the way in which someone with Cerebral Palsy would sit or carry themself.

include Spastic Diplegia, Ataxic Cerebral Palsy, Spastic Quadriplegia, Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, Kernicterus and Mixed Cerebral Palsy.

an inflammation/infection of the outer (chorion) and inner (amnion) fetal membranes. The chorion, or outer membrane, is closest to the mother, and the amnion, or inner membrane, surrounds the fetus and is in contact with the amniotic fluid. This is a bacterial infection that typically orginates in the vagina and progresses to the uterus. Premature birth and fetal membranes which have been ruptured for a long period of time can predispose a mother for this infection. The risk for the baby is that this can result in a localized infection in the baby such as meningitis or bacterial pneumonia, or in a systemic infection such as sepsis. A uterine infection causes a baby to be 4 time more likely to develop cerebral palsy. Chorioamnionitis occurs in approximately 2% of U.S. births.

means Cerebral Palsy that someone was born with.

means Cerebral Palsy. This is the common abbreviation for the disorder.

means treatment for Cerebral Palsy. See our page on treatment.

a very contagious, common illness among kids characterized by an itchy rash of spots that look like blisters which can appear all over the body and is often accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Symptoms include:

• a red, itchy rash which looks like pimples or insect bites; the rash usually appears first on the stomach or back and face, and then spreads to almost everywhere else on the body, including the scalp, mouth, nose, ears, and genitals. These bumps turn into blisters less than a quarter of an inch wide and are filled with fluid. The blisters break open and then crust over becoming dry, brown scabs.
• a fever of about 100 to 102° F (higher in rare cases)
• headache
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• sore throat
• dry cough

It is recommended that children be immunized against chickenpox between 12 to 15 months of age, with a follow-up booster shot at 4 to 6 years of age. People 13 years of age and older who have never had chickenpox or have not been vaccinated against chickenpox vaccine should get two doses of the vaccine at least 28 days apart.

Potential risks to the child depends on when the mother became infected with chickenpox. If a woman contracts it within the first 5 months of pregnancy, she is at risk for miscarriage or premature labor and her baby will be at risk for low birth weight, birth defects (such as limb abnormalities or eye problems), seizures after birth, or mental retardation. If a she develops chickenpox during the last half of her pregnancy, she is at risk for acquiring varicella pneumonia and potentially dying. If she contracts chickenpox the week before delivery or soon after the child’s birth, the baby is at risk for serious complications if not treated (i.e., encephalitis, pneumonia, Reye’s syndrome, cerebellar ataxia). Pregnant women who are exposed to chickenpox can receive an injection which may prevent chickenpox or reduce its severity.

Women who have not had chickenpox or have not been immunized against rubella, should do so before becoming pregnant. A blood test can be done to check for immunity (i.e., the likelihood of developing chickenpox if exposed to the virus) if in doubt.

CMV is a member of the herpes virus family, which includes the herpes simplex viruses and the viruses that cause chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus) and infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr Virus). CMV is a very common virus infecting people of all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), somewhere between 50 to 85% of people in the U.S. have had this virus by the time they are 40. Because symptoms are so much like other illnesses (e.g., sore throat, fever, swollen glands, fatigue), most people do not know whether or not they have had CMV.

 Development Disabilities. a developmental disability is a severe, chronic disability which is manifested before the person attains age 22. For more, see our page on Developmental Disabilities.

means a slow, abnormal or difficult labor or childbirth. These births often end with assisted deliveries including forceps, vacuum extractions or cesarean sections.

is a neurological movement disorder in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. For the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, click here.

is a variation of the disease where the person has dystocia.

is a brain or neurological disorder characterized by repeated seizures. A seizure is convulsion or fit wherein all or part of the body changes function. Seizures or epilepsy are often thought of as involving Grand Mal Seizures, where the body shakes violently and the person may lose consciousness. While that is one form of epilepsy, seizures can take many forms, and may involve subtle loss of function that is not even noticeable or attibutal to the abnormal brain function. Seizures are believed to be caused by short circuiting or abnormal electrical activity on the surface of the brain, the cerebral cortex. The prevalence of epilepsy in someone with Cerebral Palsy is disproportionately large, as much as 30-50%, as opposed to less than 1% in the general population.

This is a herpes virus responsible for mononucleosis. Cases of encephalitis developing from the Epstein-Barr virus are usually mild, but can be fatal.

is a condition which can develop when a fetus and its mother have different blood types – either an ABO incompatibility (the most common form of erythroblastosis fetalis) or an Rh incompatibility (less common). The mother’s body produces antibodies which attack the baby's red blood cells. As the baby’s red blood cells are destroyed, it develops anemia. The newborn baby with this condition may have: anemia, brown urine, an enlarged liver or spleen, leg or abdominal swelling, and jaundice. Treatment includes: early delivery, phototherapy, and blood transfusion. Other names for Erythroblastosis Fetalis are: Anemia Hemolytic Newborn, Anemia Newborn Hemolytic, Hemolytic Anemia Newborn, or Newborn Hemolytic Anemia.

when a doctor uses twin steel blades (forceps) inserted into the vagina and around the baby’s head to assist in delivering the baby. As the mother bears down, the doctor pulls the baby’s head through the vagina. Forceps delivery are usually done only when the baby’s head fails to descend further than the mother’s pelvis, if the mother has difficulty pushing either because of an epidural or exhaustion, or if a baby is in a posterior position or is a breech birth. Forceps are the choice of method in situations where the baby needs to be rotated in order to be born. Forceps may also be called for if the baby’s head is not low enough for the vacuum extraction to be effective. Risks associated with forceps deliveries include: misshapen head, brain damage (i.e., cerebral palsy, behavior problems, mental retardation), or injury to the baby’s head (i.e., scalp lacerations, skull fracture) and spinal cord.

also known as Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). Although some people have no symptoms, others with this virus have genital ulcers or sores. HSV-2 is usually sexually transmitted, however, cross-infection of HSV-1 and HSV-2 can occur. This means that genital herpes can appear on the mouth, and oral herpes can appear on the genital area.

It is possible for a fetus to become infected with HSV which can cause abnormalities. The HSV virus can be transmitted to a newborn during vaginal delivery from an infected mother. Women do not have to have active infections to transmit the virus to their child. For women with active HSV infections at time of delivery, a cesarean section is recommended to decrease the newborn’s risk of infection.

The frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are usually affected with encephalitis caused by the herpes virus. This may result in learning disabilities and problems with fine motor control or speech.

 is a condition in which half the body is either paralized or has a severe loss of motor function. Hemi means half, and is typically thought of vertically, like the hemispheres of the earth, so it thus affects one side or the other of the body.

 is a condition where one side of the body is affected by the disability.

 is a condition where one side of the body is affected by the disability.

Usually causes cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth or eye infections. It is transmitted through infected saliva. Although fatal encephalitis is very rare, HSV-1 is the most common cause of those cases.

Usually causes genital herpes. Although some people have no symptoms, others with this virus have genital ulcers or sores. HSV-2 is usually sexually transmitted, however, cross-infection of HSV-1 and HSV-2 can occur. This means that genital herpes can appear on the mouth, and oral herpes can appear on the genital area.

means a condition characterized by too much fluid (edema) accumulating in the fetus’ body. This results from the heart needing to pump more blood to deliver a necessary amount of oxygen for the body. This prenatal form of heart failure can lead to miscarriage or heart failure.

means low muscle tone.

means low muscle tone.

a yellowish discoloration of the skin caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood. Neonatal jaundice is a common condition in infants, occurring during the first week of life, and is usually harmless. Several different factors can cause jaundice in a newborn: dehydration, prematurity, a difficult delivery, a normal consequence of the newborn’s immature liver, blood incompatibilities between the mother and baby, blood diseases, genetic syndromes, hepatitis, infections, a bruise on the newborn’s head or blood clot under the scalp, etc. In extreme cases of jaundice, however, a condition called kernicterus can develop causing brain damage to infants.

is the name given the disease where too much bilirubin in the blood causes brain damage. The name Kernicterus comes from two Greek words - kern which refers to a portion of the brain, and icterus, which means yellow.

a less severe form of Cerebral Palsy where the disability is more subtle, but can still cause significant disability.

a less severe form of Spactic Diplegia.

refers to an abnormally small amount of amniotic fluid. This can occur in women whose pregnancy is 2 weeks past their due date, because amniotic fluids naturally decline. However, this condition can develop at any time during the pregnancy. Because part of the amniotic fluid is made from the baby’s urine, babies with birth defects involving the kidneys and urinary tract can cause this condition. Some health problems in the mother, such as high blood pressure, lupus and diabetes, are linked with decreased amounts of amniotic fluid. Oligohydramnios may be due to premature leaks or tears in the placental membranes.

Because there is little space around the baby to allow it room to grow and develop, this can cause the formation of certain facial features (i.e., flattened face, wide-set eyes, a flattened, beaked nose, low-set ears and a small, receding chin), various deformities of the arms and legs (bilateral clubfoot, dislocated hips, broad flat hands and problems with the joints fully extending), compression of fetal organs (i.e., hypoplastic lungs), and overall small size.

Women with oligohydramnios experience increased risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, and complications during labor and delivery.

a temporary organ that brings nourishment from the mother’s blood to the fetus and takes away the fetus’ waste products. The placenta attaches to the uterus and connects to the fetus by the umbilical cord. The afterbirth which is expelled after the baby is born is made up of the placenta and fetal membranes.

a condition is where the placental lining separates from the mother’s uterus after 20 weeks of pregnancy and prior to birth, is the most common cause of bleeding during late pregnancy. It occurs in about one in 200 pregnancies.

Symptoms of placental abruption include: vaginal bleeding, abdominal and/or back pain, uterine tenderness and frequent or unending contractions. In some cases where the abruption is high up in the uterus, or is slight, there is no bleeding, though extreme pain is felt and reported.

Factors which can increase the risk of placental abruption include: high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, carrying multiples, excessive amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios), blood-clotting disorders, abdominal trauma and substance abuse (smoking, alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine).

If not treated, the blood loss can lead to shock. The consequences for the infant include: premature birth, difficulties with breathing and feeding, low blood pressure or low blood count, decreased oxygen and nutrients. Placental abruptions which are small and undetected can cause growth problems due to the deprivation of oxygen and nutrients. Reduction in oxygen to the baby’s brain can lead to later neurological or behavioral problems.

are hardened clumps of blood that forms inside a blood vessel in the placenta (the organ responsible for bringing nutrients and oxygen to the fetus and carrying away fetal waste products). When the blood clot remains in the location where it has formed, it is called a thrombus. If it breaks away from the location where it formed and travels to another part of the body, it is called an embolus. A blood clot in the placenta blocks the blood flow to the fetus, thus depriving it of nutrients and oxygen which can result in a fetal stroke.

is caused when the baby may not be fully engaged in the pelvis, allowing the umbilical cord to be pushed past the baby with the extra pressure from the excessive fluid.

refers to too much amniotic fluid. This condition can indicate a problem originating from the mother, such as gestational diabetes or a blood incompatibility between the mother and fetus. Or it can be associated with problems related to the fetus; for example, severe polyhydramnios is associated with more fetal anomalies. As the amniotic fluid increases, there is a risk that the amniotic sac will rupture and/or premature labor will begin. There are several potential problems that can result from excessive amniotic fluid:

1. a difficult birth presentation: the excess fluid can allow too much movement of the baby who may not stay in a head-down position
2. a prolapsed umbilical cord: the baby may not be fully engaged in the pelvis, allowing the umbilical cord to be pushed past the baby with the extra pressure from the excessive fluid;
3. placental abruption: a baby which is fully engaged in the pelvis helps to keeps fluid in the upper part of the uterus until the baby is delivered. If too much fluid escapes before the baby is born, the placenta can separate from the uterus before the baby is born. This means that the baby may suffer from oxygen deprivation.
   
4. postpartum hemorrhage: the excessive fluid distends the uterus for a longer period of time which can make it more difficult to contract which can cause more bleeding and more clots.

the excessive fluid distends the uterus for a longer period of time which can make it more difficult to contract which can cause more bleeding and more clots.

Is protein in the urine. It is a symptom of a condition called pre-clampsia which also involves elevated blood pressure and excessive fluid retention (edema).  The presence and degree of proteinuria in pre-eclampsia was widely used to predict adverse outcomes for mother and fetus. However, a study published on BioMed Central in March 2009, found proteinura during pre-eclampsia to be a poor predictor of adverse outcomes for both mother and fetus.http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/7/11

is the form of Cerebral Palsy where all four limbs are affected. Click here for more on Spastic Quadriplegia.

 is the form of Cerebral Palsy where all four limbs are affected. Click here for more on Spastic Quadriplegia.

 a condition which develops when a mother and fetus’s Rh-incompatible blood mixes; the mother’s body becomes sensitized, recognizes her fetus’ blood as a foreign body and produces antibodies that attacks the baby’s red blood cells. Events which allow the mother and fetus’ blood to mix, thereby sensitizing the mother’s body against the fetus’ blood, include: miscarriage, therapeutic abortion, amniocentesis, ectopic pregnancy, abdominal trauma and external cephalic version.

This condition does not affect the mother’s health, and generally, this is not a problem with the first pregnancy. However, this condition usually becomes worse with each subsequent Rh-incompatible pregnancy. Rh incompatibility causes the destruction of the fetus’ red blood cells. Symptoms can include:

• Anemia: As the baby’s red blood cells are destroyed by antibodies produced from the mother’s body, there is a decrease in the normal number of red blood cells resulting in anemia. Names for this kind of anemia are: erythroblastosis fetalis, anemia hemolytic newborn, anemia newborn hemolytic, hemolytic anemia newborn, or newborn hemolytic anemia. In cases of severe anemia, there is an enlargement of the liver and spleen.
• Jaundice: As the baby’s blood cells are destroyed, so is the baby’s ability to process bilirubin (a brownish yellow substance produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells). Untreated high levels of bilirubin can result in kernicterus (a form of brain damage), cerebral palsy (particularly athetoid cerebral palsy), physical abnormalities, deafness, problems with eye movements, and even death.
• Hypotonia: low muscle tone
• Polyhydramnios: this means there is too much amniotic fluid in the sac around the fetus. As the amniotic fluid increases, there is a risk that the amniotic sac will rupture and/or premature labor will begin.
• Hydrops fetalis: a condition characterized by too much fluid (edema) accumulating in the fetus’ body. This results from the heart needing to pump more blood to deliver a necessary amount of oxygen for the body. This prenatal form of heart failure can lead to miscarriage or heart failure.
• Neurological problems: including delayed or decreased mental and motor skills, movement disorder, hearing loss, speech disorder and seizures.

Before an Rh-negative woman becomes sensitized to Rh-negative blood, she can be treated with injections of Rh immune globulin (RhIg) to prevent sensitization. If a blood test confirms that the baby is Rh-positive, these injections are usually recommended at 28 weeks of pregnancy, if the pregnancy goes past the due date, and another within 72 hours of delivery. Treatment with RhIg is also recommended after any situation whereby the mother and fetus’ blood can mix, such as miscarriage, therapeutic abortion, certain prenatal tests (i.e., amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling), ectopic pregnancy, abdominal trauma and external cephalic version.
Treatment for an infant with Rh disease includes: early delivery, phototherapy using bilirubin lights or blood transfusion.

Rh disease is also known as: Rh (D) disease, Rhesus disease, RhD Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn, Rhesus D Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn or RhD HDN)

a protein substance or antigen which may or may not be present in the red blood cells of people. A person with this Rhesus factor is said to be “Rh-positive;” a person who does not possess this Rhesus factor is said to be “Rh-negative.” The only time Rh factor becomes a problem is in situations where the two blood types, Rh-positive and Rh-negative, come into contact with each other. This can happen during a blood transfusion or during pregnancy. Events occurring during pregnancy in which the mother and fetus’ blood can mix are: miscarriage, therapeutic abortion, amniocentesis, ectopic pregnancy, abdominal trauma and external cephalic version.

 Rubella, once known as German measles or the sometimes called the 3-day measles, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the rubella virus and best known by its characteristic red rash.

Symptoms generally appear between two and three weeks after exposure to the virus. While many people with rubella have few or no symptoms, symptoms can include:

• Mild fever of 102° F or lower, usually 99 to 100° F, that lasts 1-2 days
• A fine rash of pink or light red spots (thus, the Latin word “rubella” which means “little red”) that begins on the face, spreads downward to the trunk, then the arms and legs, and disappears in the same pattern. The rash may itch and lasts up to 3 days.
• Headache & swollen, aching joints (more common in teens and adults)
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Inflamed, red eyelids and eyes
• Swollen, tender lymph nodes, usually in the back of the neck or behind the ears
• Loss of appetite

Children usually are vaccinated with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before going to school. They receive their 1st vaccination at 12 – 15 months of age, and a second does at 4 – 6 years of age. Rubella has been virtually eliminated in the United States because of the widespread use of the vaccine. Continued vaccinations, however, are important in preventing its re-emergence.

Rubella is a relatively mild disease with minimal effects if infected during childhood. The most serious effects of Rubella happen when a pregnant woman becomes infected within the first 5 months of pregnancy. If the fetus survives since 20% of these pregnancies end in miscarriage, the baby may be born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) which puts them at risk for growth and/or mental retardation, defects of the heart and eyes, deafness, liver and spleen damage, and bone marrow problems. Babies born with CRS can carry the virus a few months after birth, and are thus, a potential source of infection for other infants or pregnant women.

If a woman becomes pregnant is either is not sure about her vaccination record or if she has already had the disease, a blood test can be done to check for immunity against rubella (i.e., the likelihood of developing rubella if exposed to the virus). If a woman is contemplating becoming pregnant, it is better to check these things before doing so and receiving the vaccine against rubella if necessary.

An infection in the blood stream caused by a bacterial infection. Urinary tract infections are very common during pregnancy and very often are present without any symptoms. Untreated, these infections can progress to sepsis. Although sepsis infections are uncommon, they are potentially fatal to the fetus and/or the mother when they do occur.

term to describe a Cerebral Palsy where there is spasticity, the inability of a muscle to relax (as if it was in a permanent cramp). Click here to read more.

is when a baby’s shoulders create difficulties with the mother’s ability to give birth. (Dystocia means “difficult birth.”) This typically happens with babies who are unusually large, often occurring with women who are obese, have gestational diabetes, or have gone past their due date. This also happens with women whose pelvic opening is too small for the baby’s shoulders pass through. After the baby’s head is delivered, one shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone. OBs can employ a variety of special strategies and techniques to help deliver a baby with shoulder dystocia. But if these fail, forceps or vacuum assisted delivery may be required.

 is a type of Cerebral Palsy that involves spasticity in the legs.

term to describe a Cerebral Palsy where there is spasticity, the inability of a muscle to relax (as if it was in a permanent cramp). Click here to read more.

 refers to a type of Cerebral Palsy involving loss of use of the whole body. Click here to read more.

is the inability of a muscle to relax (as if it was in a permanent cramp). This is one of the most common symptoms of Cerebral Palsy. Click here to read more.

a sexually transmitted disease which can be transmitted from mother to baby either through the plancenta during pregnancy or through direct contact with a sore during birth. Left untreated, syphilis can lead to serious problems; syphilis increases the risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, death of baby, preterm birth or intrauterine growth restriction. Problems related to the development of syphilis in the fetus early in the pregnancy can been seen on an ultrasound (i.e., overly large plancenta, fluid in the abdomen, enlarged liver or spleen). Some babies show symptoms of syphilis at birth - a skin rash, lesions around the mouth or genitals, pneumonia, unusual nasal secretions, swollen lymph glands, and anemia, while others develop symptoms within the first two months of birth. Babies with syphilis who go untreated may develop vision and hearing impairments, bone and teeth abnormalities, or severe neurological conditions. Women infected with syphilis are more likely to develop HIV if exposed to the virus. Because of the serious consequences and the fact that syphilis has been on the rise in the US, the CDC recommends that all woman be tested for syphilis at the first prenatal visit.

 is caused from a protozoan parasite found in undercooked contaminated meats and in the feces of cats who spend time outside and become infected by eating other animals infected with this parasite.

This parasite can be completely unnoticed by an infected mother and be transmitted to her unborn child, causing miscarriage or stillborn birth, or brain inflammation and diseases of the nervous system and eyes. The baby may be born with visible signs of toxoplasmosis (i.e., an abnormally large or small head), or may not show any signs at birth and later develop vision loss, mental disability and seizures.

Pregnant woman can minimize the possibility of getting toxoplasmosis by avoiding coming into contact with cat feces (i.e, litter boxes or contaminated soil), not eating uncooked meat, and washing hands after touching anything that may have come into contact with cat feces or uncooked meat.

 is the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

(UCP). The UCP is the leading advocacy organization committed to change and progress for persons with disabilities. Founded in 1949, the national organization and its nationwide network of affiliates strive to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every facet of society—from the Web to the workplace, from the classroom to the community. As one of the largest health charities in America, the mission of United Cerebral Palsy is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.

the cord which connects the fetus to the placenta. It usually contains two arteries and one vein. The umbilical vein carries blood with oxygen and nutrients from the placenta; the umbilical arteries remove the baby’s waste products (i.e., the deoxygenated, nutrient-depleted blood) to the placenta they are transferred to the mother’s blood and disposed of by her kidneys. The umbilical cord does not connect directly to the mother’s circulatory system. The gelatinous substance within the umbilical cord is called Wharton’s jelly and is a rich source of stem cells.

noncancerous growths of the uterus ; they are also called fibromyomas, leiomyomas or myomas. As many as 75% of women have uterine fibroids sometime during their lives. Because they often cause no symptoms, many women do not know that they have them until they are discovered during a pelvic exam or prenatal ultrasound. Unless they cause problems, uterine fibroids seldom require treatment. If they do cause discomfort or other problems, there are treatments to shrink them or to surgically remove them.

an alternative to a forceps delivery, whereby a suction cup is placed on the baby’s head, a vacuum is created using a pump, thus attaching the cup onto the skin from the baby’s scalp. Using this instrument, which is called a ventouse, the doctor pulls the baby down the birth canal along with the help of the mother’s contractions.
Vacuum extraction is used in situations where: 1) the baby is not in the right position and is showing signs of distress or 2) when the mother experiences difficulties pushing the baby out either from exhaustion or due to the effects of the epidural.

While the pump often leaves a bruise on the baby’s head, other more serious complications can result. One is a subgaleal hemotoma (bleeding in the space between the skull and the scalp) and the other is an intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding within the skull).

This virus is responsible for chickenpox and shingles. Although it can cause encephalitis, it tends to be mild. In more serious cases, it can cause a seizure disorder.

inflammation in the brain caused by a virus; an childhood illness linked to cerebral palsy. Groups which are at a higher risk for encephalitis are children under age four years, adults over sixty years, any individual whose immunity is compromised; life threatening complications are more likely with children one year and under or adults 55 and older. Some of the viruses causing encephalitis include:

• Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1): Usually causes cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth or eye infections. It is transmitted through infected saliva. Although fatal encephalitis is very rare, HSV-1 is the most common cause of those cases.

• Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2): Usually causes genital herpes. Although some people have no symptoms, others with this virus have genital ulcers or sores. HSV-2 is usually sexually transmitted, however, cross-infection of HSV-1 and HSV-2 can occur. This means that genital herpes can appear on the mouth, and oral herpes can appear on the genital area.

It is possible for a fetus to become infected with HSV which can causeabnormalities. The HSV virus can be transmitted to a newborn during vaginal delivery from an infected mother. Women do not have to have active infections to transmit the virus to their child. For women with active HSV infections at time of delivery, a cesarean section is recommended to decrease the newborn’s risk of infection.
The frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are usually affected with encephalitis caused by the herpes virus. This may result in learning disabilities and problems with fine motor control or speech.

• Varicella-zoster virus. This virus is responsible for chickenpox and shingles. Although it can cause encephalitis, it tends to be mild. In more serious cases, it can cause a seizure disorder.
• Epstein-Barr virus. This is a herpes virus responsible for mononucleosis. Cases of encephalitis developing from the Epstein-Barr virus are usually mild, but can be fatal.
• Other viruses capable of causing encephalitis include: Cytomegalovirus, Rubella and Measles. In very rare cases secondary encephalitis occurs after receiving immunizations against Measles, Mumps and Rubella.

The early symptoms of encephalitis may include: fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and lethargy. Symptoms progress to include: altered consciousness, seizures, muscle weakness or paralysis, loss of voice, and problems with memory and balance. Symptoms in infants include: vomiting, body stiffness, swelling in the soft spots of the skull, and inconsolable crying. If the brain swells and compresses the brain stem, there may be changes in respiration and heartbeat or seizures.

Difficulties with fatigue, weakness, memory and walking can last a year or more in some severe cases. Those with permanent damage may have memory loss, problems with muscle coordination, incoherent speech, paralysis, or hearing or vision impediments.