Viral Infections Linked to Cerebral Palsy

According to a report published today in the British Medical Journal, exposure to certain types of viral infections shortly before or after birth can increase the risk of developing cerebral palsy. These findings lend support to the theory that infections during this period can cause brain damage and cerebral palsy development.

The cerebral palsy study—involving 443 children with cerebral palsy and 883 babies without—was conducted at the Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Australia. All of the children in the study were born between 1986 and 1999.

To measure the effect of viral infections on newborns, researchers gathered results of blood tests administered within the first few days of life to test from neurotropic viruses. Neurotropic viruses, including herpes viruses, can cross the placenta and infect the fetus during pregnancy.

Researchers found that babies exposed to the Herpes Group B virus were two times more likely to develop cerebral palsy than those not exposed. Exposure to certain viruses also increased the risk that a child would be born pre-term. Premature delivery is also a risk factor in the development of cerebral palsy.

The authors of this study report that more research is required to investigate the link between cerebral palsy and neurotropic viruses. They believe their study shows a plausible link between these infections and preterm delivery & cerebral palsy.