How long does it take for a fetus to have cerebral palsy if it is lack of oxygen?

There are many causes of cerebral palsy, one of the more important reasons is that the fetus suffers from hypoxia and suffocation in the mother's body. If it lasts for a long time, it may cause permanent damage to the brain. At this time, the child may develop symptoms of cerebral palsy after birth. There are many manifestations that cause fetal hypoxia, such as changes in fetal movement, abnormal fetal heart rate, etc.

Will fetal hypoxia cause cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy in children is a disorder of movement, language, etc. caused by brain damage. Cerebral palsy brings great psychological pressure to patients and their families. What are the causes of cerebral palsy in children? Clinical studies have shown that fetal hypoxia-ischemia is an important factor causing cerebral palsy in children. Various perinatal factors such as intrauterine hypoxia, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy caused by birth asphyxia, and cerebral hemorrhage are also serious causes of cerebral palsy. Among patients with cerebral palsy, 40% are caused by asphyxial birth injuries.

Although the fetal movements are larger in the later stages of pregnancy, if they are abnormal, you should still go to the hospital for fetal heart monitoring in time. If a originally lively fetus suddenly becomes quiet, or a originally quiet fetus suddenly becomes restless, and the fetal movement is less than 10 times/12 hours or more than 40 times/12 hours, it indicates the possibility of fetal intrauterine hypoxia. Intrauterine hypoxia can easily cause fetal brain damage, leading to fetal cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a sequelae caused by ischemia and hypoxia of brain cells in the fetus or at birth, or by compression of the head.

Symptoms of fetal hypoxia

1. Changes in fetal movement. Fetal movement is a normal physiological activity of the fetus. Pregnant women can usually feel the movement of the fetus at 18-20 weeks of pregnancy. The fetal movements of different fetuses are also different. Generally speaking, the amplitude of fetal movement of quiet fetuses is smaller and the number of fetal movements is also less. The movements of an excited fetus are large and frequent.

In order to reduce oxygen consumption or hypoxia affecting the central nervous system, the fetus will cause abnormal activities. If a originally active fetus suddenly becomes quiet, or a originally quiet fetus suddenly becomes restless, and the frequency of fetal movement is less than 10 times/12 hours or more than 40 times/12 hours, it indicates that the fetus may be suffering from intrauterine hypoxia. Pregnant women should closely observe the fetal movements. If abnormal fetal movements are found, it may be that the fetus is suffering from hypoxia and needs timely treatment.

2. Abnormal fetal heart rate. Under normal circumstances, the fetal heart rate is regular, about 120-160 beats per minute. Pregnant women can use a fetal heart rate monitor to observe the fetal heart rate. If the fetal heart rate is abnormal, you should listen to it again after 20 minutes. If the fetal heart rate is too fast, you should listen to it again when there is no fetal movement. If the fetal heart rate exceeds 160 beats/minute, it is a sign of early fetal hypoxia; if the fetal heart rate is less than 120 beats/minute or even stops, it is a sign of late fetal hypoxia.

3. Fetal growth stagnation. The growth of the fetus can be known by measuring the height of the uterus. Under normal circumstances, after 28 weeks of pregnancy, the height of the uterus should increase by about 1 cm per week. If the fetus is deprived of oxygen, its growth will also be slowed. Pregnant women can measure their uterine height regularly at home or in the hospital. If there is no increase for two weeks, further examination should be conducted.

Fetal hypoxia is a serious problem, cerebral palsy is one example. In order to prevent the fetus from suffering from hypoxia-induced cerebral palsy, we need to know the symptoms of fetal hypoxia. Once any abnormality occurs, we should solve it in time, otherwise it will have very serious consequences and it will be too late to remedy it then.