What periods during which brain damage can lead to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy?

What periods during which brain damage can lead to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy?

• A. Prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal periods
• B. Only prenatal
• C. Only perinatal
• D. Only postnatal

Answer: (A)

Cerebral palsy comes from a nonprogressive injury to the developing brain, and that injury can occur at any point from conception through early childhood. Brain damage before birth (prenatal) can disrupt how the brain forms and wires itself. Around birth (perinatal) events such as hypoxic-ischemic injury or complications related to prematurity can damage the brain as it’s developing. After birth (postnatal), serious brain injuries from trauma, infections, or metabolic problems can also lead to CP. Because the defining factor is injury to a developing brain, the periods can include prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal, not just one single window.

Cerebral palsy comes from a nonprogressive injury to the developing brain, and that injury can occur at any point from conception through early childhood. Brain damage before birth (prenatal) can disrupt how the brain forms and wires itself. Around birth (perinatal) events such as hypoxic-ischemic injury or complications related to prematurity can damage the brain as it’s developing. After birth (postnatal), serious brain injuries from trauma, infections, or metabolic problems can also lead to CP. Because the defining factor is injury to a developing brain, the periods can include prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal, not just one single window.