Cerebral palsy (CP) remains the most common lifelong physical disability condition in childhood, affecting about 2 to 4 children per 1000 live births each year in high-income countries. The etiological causes for most CP cases remain unknown, and only a few perinatal risk factors, such as birth asphyxia, preterm delivery, and infections, have been identified. Ahmed and colleagues conducted a large medical linkage cohort study of CP that included more than 2 million mothers and children living in Ontario, Canada, and reported that maternal unintentional injury during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk for CP in the offspring (hazard ratio, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.18-1.50). The study showed that maternal injuries that were severe, such as those resulting in hospitalization or having to deliver within a week following the injuries, were more strongly associated with the offspring’s CP risk. A large study sample size allowed several subgroup analyses, including the investigation of the frequency, types, and trimesters of occurrence of the injuries.
Clinical Practice Guidelines