Fetal Infarct and Cerebral Palsy: Understanding the Connection

Cerebral palsy is a condition that results from brain abnormalities and causes disorders in the brain and nervous system that affect brain functions such as learning, movement and seeing. Fetal infarct can cause cerebral palsy during a child's birth.

Infarct

• According to Medterms.com, an infarct is an area of body tissue that dies because of a lack of oxygen Fetal infarct can cause parts of an infant's brain to lack sufficient oxygen during childbirth and result in cerebral palsy, as reported by the Mayo Clinic.

Other Causes

• Infants with meningitis, viral encephalitis and congenital brain abnormalities may develop cerebral palsy. Strokes before birth and severe jaundice can also cause cerebral palsy.

Risk Factors

• Premature babies born less than 37 weeks after conception, babies with a birth weight of less than 5.5 pounds and infants who were born feet first have a greater risk of developing cerebral palsy.

Symptoms

• Infants with cerebral palsy may have a delayed ability to reach with their hands, and may have late development of walking, sitting and crawling skills, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Treatment

• Doctors cannot cure cerebral palsy but they may recommend special education, physical therapy or surgery on nerves to relieve pain for infants with this condition.