Risk factors don't develop cerebral palsy

Most children with cerebral palsy don't have any apparent problems during development in the womb and birth. But some factors may increase the risk of cerebral palsy:

Babies that are premature or have a low birth weight
Fetuses in a feet-first position (breech presentation) at the beginning of labor
Complicated labor and delivery
Maternal infection during pregnancy
Health problems in the mother during pregnancy that impair normal blood circulation to the uterus and placenta


Meconium staining of amniotic fluid, caused by stool passed by the fetus in utero, also may indicate prenatal difficulties. However, most children with one or more of these risk factors don't develop cerebral palsy.