Question

Which of the following statements regarding cerebral palsy is correct?

1) Conditions such as brain injury at birth, postpartum infections, and fetal hypoxia can cause cerebral palsy.
2) Most cases of cerebral palsy develop within the first 10 years of life and are typically caused by meningitis.
3) Approximately 25% of cerebral palsy cases are caused by genetic factors.
4) A key clinical feature of cerebral palsy is paralysis of the respiratory muscles, which confines the patient to a ventilator.

Answer 1

The correct statement about cerebral palsy is 1) that conditions such as brain injury at birth and fetal hypoxia can cause it, affecting motor function and muscle coordination.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cerebral palsy is primarily a neurological disorder that impacts motor functions due to brain injury sustained before, during, or shortly after birth. The correct statement regarding cerebral palsy is that conditions such as brain injury at birth, postpartum infections, and fetal hypoxia can cause it (Option 1).

In terms of prevalence, cerebral palsy does not develop within the first 10 years of life; rather, it is a condition that is typically identified early in a child's development, often in the first few years. The contribution of genetic factors to cerebral palsy is a topic of ongoing research and is not considered to be the primary cause in most cases. Moreover, cerebral palsy varies in severity, with some individuals having only minor motor skill impairments, while others may have more extensive disabilities affecting their ability to walk or speak.