|  | Conditions Treatments | Neurological Disorders

Is Cerebral Palsy a Genetic Mutational Disorder?

Genetic mutational disorders are hereditary disorders. Cerebral palsy (CP), a neurological disorder that hampers body movement and muscle coordination, is not a genetic mutational disorder. Fetal damage, birth complications and traumatic injury during childhood are ways cerebral palsy can develop.

  1. Cerebral Palsy

    • Cerebral palsy is a result of brain damage. The severity of each case is dependent on the extent of brain damage.

    Fetal Damage

    • Fetal damage, such as a fetal stroke or infection, can lead to the development of brain damage associated with cerebral palsy. The fetus is most vulnerable to damage during the first five months of pregnancy.

    Birth Complications

    • Birth complications, such as not receiving enough oxygen at birth, can cause cerebral palsy. Underweight babies and babies born prematurely are also vulnerable to developing CP.

    Traumatic Injury

    • In rare cases, cerebral palsy develops after birth. A traumatic injury during infancy causes this to happen. Such an injury can occur from child abuse or an automobile accident.

    Genetic Risk Factors

    • While CP is not a genetic mutational disorder, there are genetic risk factors. Women who suffer seizures or are mentally challenged are more likely to give birth to a child with CP.

Neurological Disorders - Related Articles