• Insufficient amount of oxygen to the fetal or newborn brain.
• Premature separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus.
• Awkward birth position of the baby.
• Labor that is too long or too abrupt.
• Interruption of circulation or oxygen supply caused by the umbilical cord.
• Blood-type incompatibility between mother and infant.
• Infection of the mother with German measles or other viruses in early pregnancy.
• Premature birth, low birth weight, or Rh negative.
• Brain infection.
• Most frequent occurrences: During pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
• Common causes of brain injury: A severe blow to the head caused by a car accident, a fall, or child abuse.

The extent of disability in the individual depends on which areas of the brain have been damaged and to what degree. An injury to the brain is not curable, but training and therapy can help significantly. The most common conditions seen in cerebral palsy are:

• An inability to control motor function and muscle coordination, which affects full body movement.
• Muscle tightness or spasms, involuntary movements, disturbance in gait and mobility.
• Impairment of sight, hearing, or speech.
• Seizures.
• Mental retardation.