Before conception:

• Genetic causes; these are rare and uncertain

• Maternal risk factors and health problems; including socioeconomic status, smoking and alcohol use, diabetes, and other conditions (note: these do not cause CP, but may lead to an event that does)

Early pregnancy:

• Chromosomal abnormalities

• Congenital infections (e.g., rubella and cytomegalovirus)

Later pregnancy:

• PVL (Periventricular leukomalacia); damage to the white matter of the brain in utero.

• IVH (Intraventricular haemorrhage); bleeding in the brain ventricles.

• These are common in premature babies and may also be caused by damage sustained in an accident while the baby is in utero. Variations and combinations of brain-damaging events like these may occur.

Just before, during, or just after birth:

• Hypoxic–ischaemic injury; occurs when there is not enough oxygen or blood flow to the brain.

• Perinatal stroke; caused by an embolism and is often not detected at first.

• Birth trauma

• Neonatal (newborn) infection

Postnatal (after birth) causes:

• Bacterial infection (e.g., meningitis)

• Other inflammatory disorders

• Trauma (accidental or non-accidental)

• Malaria and other infectious diseases

(Rosenbaum 2012)
 

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