Can you detect cerebral palsy utero

Over time, the problem of cerebral palsy began to draw the attention of an increasing number of scientists. New theories and hypotheses appeared. In order to systematize the theoretical basis, in the late s «Little Club» appeared in London. Members of this Club created «Memorandum on terminology and classification of cerebral palsy».

It was a real breakthrough in the cerebral palsy research: from this moment, the scientists and clinicians could use the same terms in this area. The nature of cerebral palsy remains to be not entirely clear nowadays. Researchers agree that all forms of CP are due to the lesion of the developing brain.

Thus, there is a logical question: if the precondition is the same, why the symptoms of this disorder are so different? The thing is that cerebral palsy is the result of damage to the different regions of the child's brain because of different causes. For each period of cerebral palsy, we identified probable causes and risk factors for this disorder.

Cause produces an effect or condition; that by which a morbid change or disease is brought about. Farlex, A risk factor is any attribute, characteristic or exposure of an individual that increases the likelihood of developing a disease official definition of WHO.

It is worth noting that a risk factor does not ensure that the child will have cerebral palsy, but it makes it more likely. Therefore, they need special attention and regular examinations of qualified specialists. If necessary, they will help with diagnostics and the choice of the most effective treatment. The study results show that maternal infections during pregnancy increase the risk of the brain damage.

Infectious disorders that can cause cerebral palsy in pregnancy are toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, syphilis, parvovirus, and other bacterial and viral disorders. Hypoxia is a condition in which the body is deprived of oxygen supply at the tissue level. A child can suffer from the lack of oxygen because of a plenty of factors.

The most significant risk of hypoxia exists during placental insufficiency. Hypoxia is dangerous due to the resulting cell death that can lead to serious brain damage. The slightest movement occurs due to complicated work of the neural pathways. Therefore, brain anomalies and malformations of their «center», the brain, are often accompanied by motor deficit besides other possible symptoms.

The studies also confirm that: people with cerebral palsy have the brain anomalies more frequently. When a mother and her fetus have incompatible blood types, it can lead to severe jaundice. Therefore, in case if a blood type incompatibility is found, the considerable attention should focus on this issue. Studies show that the risk of cerebral palsy in multiples is about12 times greater.

If one twin died, the risk is nearly times greater. Some maternal disorders increase the risk of cerebral palsy in children. These disorders include epilepsy, thyroid diseases, obesity, blood clotting disorders, hypertension, heart abnormalities, diabetes mellitus, anemia, and occupational diseases e. The direct correlation has already been found between smoking, drinking alcohol or drug use and the birth of children with cerebral palsy.

The fact is that these substances are extremely toxic to both the expecting mothers and their babies. These toxins cause not only hypoxia but also can be a risk factor for birth defects of internal organs. Indirectly, all things, that surround a pregnant woman, can also affect the baby health.

These factors include socioeconomic conditions, health care quality, and ecologic characteristics. The parents often ask: «Can the doctors detect cerebral palsy during pregnancy? Unfortunately, this is not always possible. However, scheduled medical examinations, special tests, and ultrasound may indicate the fetal pathology. This will enable specialists to assess available risk factors while pregnancy and provide further recommendations.

About 20 years ago, there was the most popular theory that the main cause of cerebral palsy is the birth complication. The principal cause of cerebral palsy during labor is asphyxia — a severe deprivation of oxygen in the blood and tissues of the child.

It is especially dangerous for the brain, which is sensitive even to a small deficit of oxygen. Asphyxia occurs due to some birth complications — e.

Labor complication means any issue during the birth that can lead to a risk to the health of the mother or the baby. We use cookies and similar tools to give you the best website experience. By using our site, you accept our digital privacy statement. Read our updated information about wearing a mask for your visit , and our visitor policy.

Cerebral palsy is a group of nonprogressive neurological disorders caused by an injury to the area of the brain that controls muscle movement and posture.

This may occur while a baby is in the womb, during birth, or in the first two years of life. Most of the time, brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy occurs before or during birth. Babies born after a difficult labor—especially if there is a birth complication that reduces oxygen flow to the baby—have a higher risk of developing the condition.

The risk of being born with cerebral palsy is higher in babies who have a very low birth weight and in those born before 32 weeks of pregnancy. This is called acquired cerebral palsy. To diagnose the condition, doctors look for patterns of signs and symptoms that emerge as a baby grows. If the results of a physical assessment indicate cerebral palsy, doctors may recommend additional testing. Physical and cognitive signs and symptoms that indicate cerebral palsy vary widely, depending on which parts of the brain are affected, how severe the injury is, and the age of the baby or child when symptoms first appear.

Cerebral palsy affects every child differently. Some children can move with the assistance of a walker or brace, and others may not be able to stand or walk. Social and developmental aspects of the condition also vary widely. The condition may affect one side of the body, which is called hemiplegia. When it affects the upper or lower body, the condition is called diplegia.

Quadriplegia is when cerebral palsy affects the upper and lower body on both sides. This is the most severe form of the condition. If cerebral palsy is severe, some signs and symptoms may be evident at birth. In many children, however, symptoms appear over time, as the child develops. Mild cerebral palsy may not be noticed until a child begins walking and has symptoms that may include stiffness or tightness in joints, a limp, uncontrolled movement, or difficulty controlling muscles in the hands and feet.

Physical symptoms may be accompanied by speech delays, hearing or vision problems, or cognitive and intellectual disabilities. Page last reviewed: 13 February Next review due: 13 February Problems before birth Cerebral palsy is usually caused by a problem that affects the development of a baby's brain while it's growing in the womb.

These include: damage to part of the brain called white matter, possibly as a result of a reduced blood or oxygen supply — this is known as periventricular leukomalacia PVL an infection caught by the mother — such as cytomegalovirus , rubella , chickenpox or toxoplasmosis a stroke — where there's bleeding in the baby's brain or the blood supply to their brain is cut off an injury to the unborn baby's head Problems during or after birth Cerebral palsy can also sometimes be caused by damage to a baby's brain during or shortly after birth.