Understanding cerebral palsy risk factors
Cerebral palsy risk factors are medical conditions or events that increase the chance that a baby’s brain may be injured or develop abnormally.
Most cases of cerebral palsy are linked to events before or during birth, even though signs may not appear until a baby begins missing milestones, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Your child may be at higher risk of CP if any of the following occurred:
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Premature birth or low birth weight, including concerns about growth during pregnancy or at delivery
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Infections or illnesses during pregnancy that required treatment, medication, or close monitoring
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Complications during pregnancy, such as seizures, thyroid problems, or high blood pressure
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Difficult labor or delivery, including fetal distress, emergency intervention, or concerns about oxygen
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Twin or multiple pregnancy, especially when complications occurred before or after birth
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Medical issues after birth, like severe jaundice, infections, or early signs of brain injury
Having one or more CP risk factors does not mean a child will develop cerebral palsy. At the same time, some parents are told everything is fine, only to notice concerns later as their child grows.
If your child may be at higher risk for cerebral palsy, it’s normal to have questions. Our registered nurses can help you talk through what happened and what it may mean for your child. It’s always free to talk with us.
Quick facts on risk factors for cerebral palsy
- Most cerebral palsy cases (about 85%–90%) are linked to issues that happen before birth or during birth, even if signs of CP do not show up until later.
- A risk factor does not mean your baby will have cerebral palsy, but it can raise the chance of brain injury.
- Premature birth and low birth weight are two of the strongest risk factors.
- Birth complications that reduce oxygen to a baby’s brain can raise the risk.
- Severe jaundice that is not treated in time can lead to kernicterus, a form of brain damage that can cause cerebral palsy.
- A smaller number of cases happen after birth (acquired CP), often linked to infection or injury in early life.
What increases risk factors for cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy risk factors can occur at different points in time. Some happen during pregnancy, others during labor and delivery, and some after birth.
Each stage carries different risk factors for cerebral palsy, and in some cases, multiple risks overlap. Learn more below about how and when cerebral palsy risk factors most commonly occur.
CP risk factors during pregnancy
Some risk factors for cerebral palsy occur before birth, while a baby is still developing in the womb. These factors can affect brain development long before labor begins.
Pregnancy-related risk factors linked with cerebral palsy include:
- Bleeding later in pregnancy
- Blood-clotting disorders
- Blood type incompatibility between the mother and baby
- Infections during pregnancy, including bacterial or viral infections
- Maternal seizures
- Rubella (German measles)
- Thyroid problems
- Toxic exposures, including mercury, undercooked food, or cat feces
Not every pregnancy with these cerebral palsy risk factors results in the condition, but they can increase the chance of brain injury during development.
Kristin Proctor, RN
Registered Nurse for 20+ Years
Risk factors during birth
Although many cases of cerebral palsy are linked to events before birth, complications during labor and delivery can also increase risk. Problems that affect oxygen, blood flow, or physical stress during delivery may lead to brain injury.
CP risk factors during labor and delivery include:
- Breech birth, when a baby is delivered feet- or bottom-first
- Loss of oxygen to the brain during labor or delivery
- Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery
- Nuchal cord, when the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck
- Placental problems, including reduced delivery of oxygen or nutrients
- Premature birth, especially when delivery occurs very early
Multiple births, such as twins or triplets, carry a higher risk during delivery because they are more likely to involve preterm infants and placental complications.
"A brain bleed called intraventricular hemorrhage is a known CP risk factor, especially in very premature babies."
— Kristin Proctor, RNC-OB, On-Staff Nurse
CP risk factors after birth
In some cases, cerebral palsy develops after birth, rather than before or during delivery. This is known as acquired cerebral palsy and accounts for about 10–15% of cases. Acquired CP is typically linked to a brain injury that occurs in the weeks, months, or early years after birth.
Cerebral palsy risk factors after a baby is born include:
- Head injury, such as trauma from accidents or abuse
- Infections, including serious illnesses like meningitis or encephalitis
- Lack of oxygen (asphyxiation) after birth
- Severe untreated jaundice (bilirubin buildup) causing kernicterus
- Vascular problems, such as stroke or bleeding in the brain
These cerebral palsy risk factors are less common than those that occur before or during birth, but they can still result in permanent brain injury when not promptly identified or treated.
Are medical mistakes a risk factor of cerebral palsy?
Some cerebral palsy risk factors are unavoidable and occur even with proper care. However, others may be linked to medical mistakes during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or newborn care.
These issues are not always explained to parents at the time. In emergency situations, medical errors may occur without parents being informed of what went wrong.
Medical mistakes that may increase the risk of cerebral palsy include:
- Delayed response to fetal distress
- Failure to treat severe jaundice promptly
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
- Missed or delayed C-section when complications arise
- Prolonged loss of oxygen during labor or delivery
When this happens, the connection is often not clear until months later, when developmental delays or movement concerns appear.
Get a free case review right now if you think your baby’s cerebral palsy was caused by negligence.
Can cerebral palsy be identified during pregnancy?
In most cases, there are no signs of cerebral palsy during pregnancy. Usually, children do not get a CP diagnosis until age 2 or 3. However, some cerebral palsy risk factors may be present or identified before birth, even when prenatal care appears routine, and scans look normal.
Many parents are told during pregnancy that everything looks fine, only to learn later that there was an increased risk that was not clearly explained at the time. Unfortunately, this disconnect can be common.
Why prenatal scans often appear normal
Standard prenatal ultrasounds are designed to check growth, anatomy, and major structural issues. They are not meant to detect subtle brain injuries or oxygen-related problems that may later contribute to several types of cerebral palsy.
Some brain injuries that cause cerebral palsy occur at a microscopic level, develop over time, or happen closer to delivery. As a result, risk factors may be present even when imaging appears normal.
What prenatal testing can and cannot show
Prenatal testing can sometimes identify conditions that increase the risk of cerebral palsy, but it cannot predict most cases.
Prenatal testing may help identify:
- Certain infections
- Growth restriction
- Structural abnormalities
However, prenatal testing cannot reliably determine how the brain will function after birth or whether a child will later develop movement or coordination difficulties.
This is why cerebral palsy risk factors are often recognized only in hindsight, after symptoms begin to appear.
Get legal help for cerebral palsy
Caring for a child with cerebral palsy can create long-term financial strain, especially when ongoing therapy, medical care, and adaptive equipment are needed. Insurance does not always fully cover these costs.
When CP results from medical negligence, financial assistance through a cerebral palsy lawsuit may be available to help families manage ongoing expenses.
If your child’s cerebral palsy may have been caused by a preventable medical mistake, you may have legal options. As of 2026, our trusted network of birth injury attorneys has secured over $1 billion.
Call us right now at (855) 220-1101 or fill out this simple form to see if we can help your family, too.
