A recent study has revealed that genetic defects are a major contributing factor to the development of cerebral palsy in Chinese children, debunking the longstanding belief that a lack of oxygen at birth was the primary cause. The disorder, which affects children's ability to move and is the most common motor disability in young individuals, typically manifests its symptoms in infancy and early childhood.
Cerebral palsy is not only characterized by movement issues but can also be associated with conditions like autism and intellectual deficiencies, highlighting the complexity of the disorder. While birth asphyxia, a condition where insufficient oxygen is received during birth, has long been considered a major trigger for cerebral palsy, the study suggests that genetic mutations may underlie a significant portion of cases affected by this condition.
The world's largest research on cerebral palsy genetics, which involved over 1,500 affected Chinese children, identified that around 24.5% of these children had rare genetic variations linked to cerebral palsy. This finding sheds light on the intricate relationship between genetic defects and the manifestation of cerebral palsy, suggesting that birth asphyxia could be a secondary outcome rather than the root cause in some cases. The study identified 81 mutated or altered genes that contribute to cerebral palsy, emphasizing their crucial role in brain and embryo development, as well as potential impacts on respiratory functions.