There are many different things that can lead to the brain damage that causes cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy can occur before or during birth. Infection during pregnancy may damage the fetus developing nervous system. Some of the common infections that mothers can have during pregnancy are rubella (German measles), and cytomegalovirus (herpes-style virus). Toxoplasmosis is another infection that can lead to a child having cerebral palsy. Toxoplasmosis is a parasite that can be carried in cat feces, and in inadequately cooked meat.
Many different problems during pregnancy can lead …show more content…
Severe oxygen deprivation during birth can rupture blood vessels and starve oxygen to the brain. The oxygen deprivation will lead to brain cell death. Significant trauma to the head during labor and delivery can cause the brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy. Infants can also develop infections of the brain including meningitis or encephalitis. Exposure to high amounts of lead in the home can cause brain damage. Cerebral palsy affects 764,000 American and of those 500,000 are children under the age of 18. Two to three children out of 1,000 born in the United States will develop cerebral palsy each year. 10,000 babies born in the United States will develop cerebral palsy each year. Of the 10,000 diagnosed with cerebral palsy 1,200 to 1,500 preschool aged children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
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