Cerebral risk higher for early and late births--study

Dr. Dag Moster, a consultant neonatologist at the University of Bergen in Norway, one of the study's authors stated, "We have to discern between relative risk and absolute risk.

"Even though there are statistical differences in the relative risks, it is important to emphasize that the absolute risk is still very low and the vast majority of children being born some weeks away from 40 weeks will not develop cerebral palsy.”

Link between late or early birth and cerebral palsy assessed
Researchers delving into the risks associated with late or early birth and cerebral palsy analyzed the data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway.

For the study, the investigators evaluated the risk of the disorder among 1,682,441 children born between 1967 and 2001 with a gestational age of 37 through 44 weeks.

The researchers tracked the health of the children until 2005.

Revelations of the study
The analysis revealed that infants born at 40 weeks had the lowest risk for developing cerebral palsy, compared with those born earlier or later.

It was noted that the risk of the disorder increased by 90 percent for babies born at 37 weeks while it was 30 percent higher for those delivered at 38 weeks.

In addition, it was observed that compared to a full-term baby the danger of developing cerebral palsy was 40 percent greater for baby born at 42 weeks and up another 40 percent for that born at 44 weeks' gestation.

The researchers also found that age of the mother, the baby's gender and various socioeconomic measures had no impact on this association.

Some plausible explanations
The researchers conceded that the biological mechanisms that play a role in the development of cerebral palsy are ambiguous.

However, experts theorize that, "one possible explanation may be that the neonatal brain is especially vulnerable the more the baby is born away from a gestational age of 40 weeks.”

Another reason cited is that perhaps fetuses prone to develop cerebral palsy have a disturbance in timing of birth, making them more susceptible to be delivered either early or late.

The researchers believe there is need for further studies to understand the biological reasons for the increase in risk.

The researchers concluded, "Until the biological mechanisms for these patterns of risk in term and post-term births are better understood, it would be hasty to assume that interventions on gestational age at delivery could reduce the occurrence of [cerebral palsy]."

The report is published in the Sept. 1 issue of the 'Journal of the American Medical Association.'

A little about cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that causes permanent brain injuries to an infant during the pregnancy or at the time of birth.

The condition affects the child severely and hampers his ability of leading a normal life.

A child with cerebral palsy has trouble controlling the muscles of the body. As a result he might not be able to walk, talk, eat, or play the way most kids do.

Though, cerebral palsy is not a curable condition, regular therapy and surgical treatments can help the child to minimize the disabilities.