Maternal and Fetal Infections and Cerebral Palsy

Fact Checked

Maternal infections increase the chances of a baby developing cerebral palsy.[1] Mothers should avoid infections and visit their doctors regularly while pregnant. Doctors are also responsible for screening pregnant women for infections, educating them about the risks, and treating illnesses promptly.

How Infections Can Cause Brain Damage

Some specific types of infections, including cytomegalovirus, West Nile virus, chickenpox, and rubella, have been linked to an increased risk of cerebral palsy. Still, any infection that causes a fever could increase the risk.[2] When a pregnant woman has an infection or a fever, her body produces proteins called cytokines.

These circulate throughout the body and the developing fetus. In the baby’s brain, cytokines cause inflammation, and too much inflammation in the brain can lead to brain damage and, ultimately, cerebral palsy. Inflammation around delivery may also affect how the baby’s brain responds.

Harmful Infections During Pregnancy

Many different infections have been directly linked to a risk of cerebral palsy in a child when the mother is affected during pregnancy. Any infection, though, may have an impact, may cause a damaging fever, and may increase the risk of a child being born with the brain damage that causes cerebral palsy.

Some of the most likely infections to occur during pregnancy and those that have been proven to be connected to cerebral palsy include:

• Cytomegalovirus. Also known as CMV, this viral infection belongs to the herpes group. CMV can also cause cold sores. This infection is dangerous for the fetus beyond the risk of cerebral palsy, as it can cause blindness, epilepsy, hearing loss, and other issues. CMV is especially dangerous if the mother has never had the infection previously. Being around young children increases the odds of contracting this infection.
• Chickenpox. Most prospective mothers will have already had chickenpox as a child, and these women are immune to the virus. The infection is characterized by itchy, red spots on the skin, and it can be very harmful to both the mother and her unborn baby.
• Rubella. Rubella is a virus that is also known as German measles. It is not very common these days, thanks to the prevalence of the mumps, measles, and rubella vaccine. However, it is still possible to contract the infection, which can cause serious harm to the baby. It increases the risk of cerebral palsy and may also increase the risk of the mother having a miscarriage.
• Toxoplasmosis. This is the infection that is most often associated with cat feces. Pregnant women are told to avoid litter boxes because of the possibility of contracting toxoplasmosis. It is not a serious infection for most people; many get it without ever experiencing symptoms and are then immune to it. The infection can cause serious complications for a developing fetus, so it is important to avoid infection.
• Herpes simplex virus. This is the most common sexually transmitted infection and one of the most common infections affecting pregnant women. It can be transmitted from the mother to the baby and cause many possible complications and disabilities, including cerebral palsy. If the infection is managed with medication or c-section at delivery, the chances of passing it on to the baby are considerably reduced.
• Sexually transmitted infections. HIV, chlamydia, and other sexually transmitted diseases are not as common as some of these other infections in pregnant women, but some are on the rise. Screening and treatment for these are essential because they don’t always cause symptoms but can impact the baby.

Chorioamnionitis

Cerebral palsy has been linked to several infections in the mother. Still, there is also an infection that occurs in the fetal membranes and amniotic fluid that can also increase the risk of developing cerebral palsy.

This is called chorioamnionitis, and it is more common in babies born preterm. The infection is harmful because it can worsen and cause more severe infections or even blood infections. It can also cause a fever in the mother that poses a risk to the fetus.[3]

Preventing Infections

The best way to manage infections as a risk factor for cerebral palsy is to prevent them. Quickly treating an infection can eliminate the risk, but doctors don’t always diagnose them before damage has been done.

A huge part of prevention is basic hygiene, like washing your hands regularly, but especially after handling food, animals, dirt, or being around children or anyone sick. Pregnant women are also encouraged to avoid unpasteurized milk products, cat litter, rodents, pets or wild animals, and other wild animals.

Another crucial part of prevention is to get regular medical care. Go to all of your scheduled appointments with your doctor and discuss what infections you may be at risk for and what you can do to prevent them.

If you have any symptoms of any infection—fever, flu-like symptoms, coughing, rashes—talk to your doctor immediately. If you do get an infection, you will need to be treated.

If an Infection Caused Your Child’s Cerebral Palsy

It is not always possible to know what caused cerebral palsy in an individual child. But, knowing that infection is a significant risk factor, it may be clear that an infection could have played a role. If you were sick during pregnancy and your doctor did not catch it and did not treat you, this could have contributed to your child’s condition.

If you believe negligence played a role and that your medical team should have treated you better, you may have a case for a malpractice lawsuit. Contact an experienced cerebral palsy lawyer to learn more.