Perinatal causes Problems during labour and delivery
Obstetric emergencies such as obstructed labour,
antepartum haemorrhage or cord prolapse may
compromise the foetus causing hypoxia, but essential
criteria must be fulfilled before cerebral palsy can be
attributed to the acute intrapartum episode. These criteria
are metabolic acidosis in foetal scalp, umbilical cord
arterial or very early neonatal blood samples (pH < 7.00
and base deficit > 12 mmol/L); early onset of severe or
moderate neonatal encephalopathy in infants of > 34 weeks
gestation; and cerebral palsy of the spastic quadriplegic or
dyskinetic type.