Antenatal causes of cerebral palsy: associations between inherited thrombophilias, viral and bacterial infection, and inherited susceptibility to infection
Date
2003
Authors
Gibson, C.
MacLennan, A.
Goldwater, P.
Dekker, G.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey, 2003; 58(3):209-220
Statement of Responsibility
Gibson, Catherine S.; MacLennan, Alastair H.; Goldwater, Paul N.; Dekker, Gustaaf A.
Conference Name
Abstract
Cerebral palsy rates of 2 in every 1,000 births have varied little over the last 40 years, despite improvements in obstetric care. In the past, cerebral palsy was thought to be due to poor obstetric care and management; however, epidemiological studies have refuted this, suggesting that there is usually an antenatal timing to the neuropathology of cerebral palsy. There are many known risk factors for cerebral palsy, including multiple gestation, prematurity, and low birth weight. Recently, intrauterine infection, maternal pyrexia, and the presence of thrombophilic disorders (thrombophilia) have been identified as major risk factors for subsequent cerebral palsy. This review examines the links between intrauterine infection, the fetal inflammatory response, and thrombophilia as possible causes of cerebral palsy. The interactions of viral or bacterial infections during pregnancy, normal or abnormal fetal cytokine responses, and hereditary fetal thrombophilias as antenatal causes of the neuropathology of cerebral palsy are now areas of research priority. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this article, the reader will be able to describe the condition cerebral palsy, list the risk factors for the development of cerebral palsy, outline the ultrasound findings associated with cerebral palsy, and point out other conditions associated with cerebral palsy.