Question
A 6-month-old baby cannot lift her head, can roll over, and has normal appetite. There are no significant abnormalities, but she occasionally trembles. How is pediatric cerebral palsy caused?
Answer
Most cases of pediatric cerebral palsy are due to poor brain development, which can be related to various factors before and after birth. Prebirth factors may include maternal habits such as smoking, drinking, and the use of certain medications during the early stages of pregnancy that can affect fetal brain growth and development. Additionally, conditions during delivery such as brain edema, aspiration, or postpartum lung infections can also lead to cerebral palsy.