Cerebral Palsy - Birth Complication, Acquired Disorder, or Genetic Condition?!

Abstract

Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is one of the common causes of medical malpractice complaints in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. When the term cerebral palsy is mentioned, the first thought that comes to the mind of the public and some professionals is prolonged labor. However, prolonged labor itself is influenced by multiple causes and factors. Methods: An analysis of existing studies and literature reviews examining the causes and factors influencing Perinatal asphyxia. Findings: Perinatal asphyxia refers to inadequate oxygen or blood supply to the fetus or newborn around the time of birth. This condition can occur due to various factors such as prolonged labor, umbilical cord compression, sudden umbilical cord prolapse, placental abruption, uterine rupture, severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, or other issues affecting blood supply and oxygen delivery. Conclusion: Unforeseen circumstances, underlying or genetic problems, and individual anatomical variations may lead to situations where prevention is impossible. Precisely distinguishing the factors contributing to asphyxia depends on multiple factors requiring multi-disciplinary clinical and laboratory evaluations. Nevertheless, in some cases, the exact cause of cerebral palsy may remain unknown or ambiguous. © 2025 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.