Cerebral Palsy in Full Birth Weight Infants:
Maternal Infection Low birth weight (under 5.5 lbs) is considered an important risk factor for the
occurrence of cerebral palsy. However, 95% of live births are of normal birth weight, and account for more
than half the cases of cerebral palsy. Why do newborn infants of normal birth weight develop cerebral palsy?
There are several reasons. A recent research article documents one of the major causes: maternal infection
(see footnote). The medical records were examined of a population of normal birth weight singletons, alive at
age 3 or older who were born in the mid-1980s. The factors associated with the occurrence of cerebral palsy
were identified. A major factor associated with cerebral palsy was maternal infection.
Maternal fever
during labor was present nearly 10 times more often when infants were born with cerebral palsy than in
mothers of infants without developmental brain damage.
There was a nine times increase in evidence of
placental infection. The occurrence of other neo-natal complications (e.g.: seizures; poor oxygenation)
was also more common in infants of mothers showing signs of infection. Comment: Maternal infection
continues to be identified as an important reason for the developmental brain damage of the fetus and
newborn infant.
The maternal infection may be "silent" (no symptoms) and so neither the mother nor
physician are aware of it. Or the infection can be evident with fever and signs of poor health, often
including kidney or bladder infection. In either case, the placenta, the placental membranes and/or the
umbilical cord may show signs of infection. The mother and physician being alert to minor signs of
maternal infection and the initiation of prompt treatment are essential to help prevent developmental
brain damage of the newborn.
This is true for both premature and full term infants; for both low birth
weight and for full birth weight infants. The fetal and newborn brain are very susceptible to the "toxins"
produced by infectious agents and to the dysfunction of an infected placenta and umbilical cord. A previous
Research Fact Sheet (October, 1996) discussed the danger of Streptococcus B Infection of the mother and
the need for prompt treatment. Footnote: Grether, J.K.; Nelson, K.B. Maternal Infection and Cerebral Palsy
in Infants of Normal Birth Weight. JAMA, July 16, 1997; 278:3
© UCP Research & Educational Foundation,
July 1997
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