Cerebral palsy (CP) has many causes. Some cases result from preventable medical errors during labor and delivery, while others are linked to prematurity or complications during pregnancy. In some children, genetic testing shows that their cerebral palsy is linked to a gene mutation.

Knowing the possible causes and how to tell them apart can help you understand whether a birth injury claim might apply.

If you’re unsure whether negligence played a role, talk with a Michigan cerebral palsy lawyer who can review your child’s medical records.

What the Data Says About Causes of CP

Understanding how often cerebral palsy is linked to genetics, prematurity, or delivery-room complications helps separate unavoidable risks from potential negligence.

Here’s what the research and medical data reveal:

  • How Common Is CP? About 1 in 345 children in the U.S. have CP (roughly 3 per 1,000). Risk is higher for babies born preterm or at low birthweight.
  • How Many Cases Are Tied to Events During Labor/Delivery? A leading systematic review concluded that about 5% of CP cases are associated with oxygen deprivation around the time of birth.
  • How Often Is CP Genetic? Researchers find that about 1 in 4 people with cerebral palsy have a genetic cause. But genetics alone doesn’t rule out medical negligence.
  • Prematurity and Missed Precautions. About 1 in 10 babies in the U.S. are born early, and prematurity increases the risk of cerebral palsy.

Numbers only tell part of the story. For parents, the real concern is whether something went wrong in the delivery room. That’s where specific warning signs can point to possible negligence.

If your child’s diagnosis may be tied to poor medical care, a Michigan cerebral palsy lawyer can help you review the facts.

Clues That Your Child’s CP May Be Linked to Medical Negligence

While no single sign confirms malpractice, these patterns often signal a preventable birth injury and should be evaluated by an experienced Michigan cerebral palsy lawyer and medical experts.

  • Unaddressed Abnormal Fetal Monitoring. When abnormal fetal heart rate patterns continue and doctors delay intervention, such as performing a C-section, it’s a red flag for avoidable birth-related brain injury.
  • Very Low Apgar Scores at 5 and 10 Minutes. Low Apgar scores at 5 and 10 minutes raise the risk of cerebral palsy. They don’t prove negligence alone but do signal the need for cord gas testing and placenta evaluation.
  • Documented Metabolic Acidosis at Birth. If the baby’s cord blood shows a pH under 7.0 or a base deficit of 12 or more, it indicates possible oxygen loss during birth. Delivery records should note cord gas results.
  • Serious Birth Emergencies. Delayed medical staff response to major birth complications, including abruption, rupture, dystocia, or cord prolapse, can trigger dangerous oxygen loss to the infant that may result in cerebral palsy.
  • Early Neonatal Signs of Brain Injury. Warning signs of doctor negligence-related brain injuries include seizures in the first day or two, needing intensive resuscitation, or being diagnosed with serious brain problems at birth.
  • MRI Results Indicating Birth-Related Injury. MRIs taken after the first day can reveal brain injury patterns linked to birth. A specialist can use these scans to see whether the damage occurred during labor or from another cause.
  • Failure to Manage Known Prenatal Risks. When doctors don’t properly manage high-risk pregnancies, like those involving twins, preeclampsia, or suspected infection, missing warning signs or delaying delivery can cause avoidable injury.

Our attorneys can review your child’s medical history and determine whether your family may have a claim.

What About Prematurity and Genetics?

Not every case of cerebral palsy occurs from medical mistakes. Conditions like prematurity or genetics can raise the baseline risk, but don’t excuse negligent care.

  • Prematurity and Missed Precautions. If doctors don’t take steps like giving steroids, using magnesium sulfate, transferring care, or delivering quickly when problems occur, preventable harm can result, and you may have a medical malpractice claim.
  • Genetics and Negligent Care. Even if a genetic factor predisposes a baby to CP, poor care during labor and delivery can make outcomes worse or be a separate cause of injury.

If you believe negligence contributed to your child’s CP diagnosis, contact Fieger Law today for a free consultation. Our Michigan cerebral palsy lawyers can investigate, consult with top medical experts, and help pursue the lifetime care and compensation your family deserves.

Talk to a Michigan Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Our team knows how to secure complete medical records, consult the right specialists, and build the timeline that connects substandard care to injury. We gather evidence, retain experts, and protect your right to the resources your child needs: therapy, equipment, and lifelong support.