Pathophysiology Common misconception that cerebral palsy is usually caused by problems (ie. hypoxia) at birth Up to 50% of children with CP have no identifiable cause/ origin (4) Of those that can be, prenatal causes are the most common Causes: BirthAntenatal period Postnatal period Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy Periventricular Leucomalacia Intraventricular Haemorrhage Both assoc with prematurity. Abnormal structural development Congenital infection Vascular occlusion (3) 80% 10% 10% 8Imperial College London The biggest risk factor for the development of CP is prematurity . However, the majority of affected children are born at full term.