Familial recurrence of cerebral palsy with multiple risk factors

Abstract

The recurrence of cerebral palsy in the same family is uncommon. We, however, report on two families with two or more affected siblings. In both families, numerous potential risk factors were identified including environmental, obstetric, and possible maternal effects. We hypothesize that multiple risk factors may lead to the increased risk of recurrence of cerebral palsy in families. Intrinsic and maternal risk factors should be investigated in all cases of cerebral palsy to properly counsel families on the risk of recurrence. Recent studies of genetic polymorphisms associated with cerebral palsy are considered with reference to our observations in these two families.

Figure 1

Sagittal T1 (a) and transverse FLAIR (b) MRI of sixth pregnancy (third case) in family 1. Note thin corpus callosum in (a). Irregular ventricular borders, white matter hypoplasia, ventriculomegaly, and periventricular hyperintense signal are demonstrated in (b).

Figure 2

Transverse FLAIR MRI from the first case, family 2. Note irregular ventricular border in (a) and in a more rostral section, white matter hyperintense signal more prominent on the left in (b).