How to Prevent Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition affecting approximately two to three children per 1000. The disorder, which causes difficulties with muscle control, balance and and posture, is normally diagnosed before age three. While cerebral palsy is not fatal by itself, and most people with the condition live well into adulthood, in more severe cases there are sometimes complications which can result in death. Most cases of cerebral palsy occur before birth for unknown reasons, therefore it is not possible to prevent all cases. However, there are several things that you can do to minimize the chances of having a child afflicted with cerebral palsy.

Instructions

• 1

  Take folic acid before and during pregnancy. Research shows that taking folic acid for at least a year before becoming pregnant reduces your risk of having a premature baby by 70 percent, as well as helps to prevent major birth defects--including cerebral palsy.

• 2

  Take good care of yourself in pregnancy. Eat healthily, exercise and take a good quality vitamin. Natural food-based vitamins are more easily absorbed and are used more efficiently by the body than typical drugstore prenatal vitamins. Request a full panel of thyroid tests, as thyroid problems can increase the risk of having a baby with cerebral palsy. By staying healthy in pregnancy, you give your baby a better chance of being born healthy.

• 3

  Get treated for Rh factor if you are Rh negative. Rh incompatibility doesn't usually cause problems in a first pregnancy, but subsequent babies can be affected and there is an increased risk of cerebral palsy if it goes untreated.

• 4

  Give birth naturally. By giving birth without drugs and interventions, the risk of labor complications is reduced. While only a fraction of cases of cerebral palsy occur during delivery, it can happen and a traumatic delivery increases that risk. Don't induce labor or have an early cesarean section without serious medical indication. Prematurity is a leading cause of cerebral palsy, increasing a baby's chance of having it by 20 to 80 times.

• 5

  Watch the baby for jaundice and other health issues. Severe jaundice and viral illnesses like meningitis can increase the risk of cerebral palsy. Symptoms of jaundice are yellowing of the eyes and skin, and lethargy in advanced cases. Meningitis presents as stiffness and/or pain, fever and sometimes lethargy.

• 6

  Secure your child in an approved safety seat and use proper headgear for biking. Understand that 10 to 20 percent of cerebral palsy cases are caused by either head injury or infection. By using basic safety precautions, you can reduce your child's chance of developing cerebral palsy in the first few years of life.