Genetic defects causes cerebral palsy in children: Study
PTI, May 6, 2024, 10:18 AM IST
Representative image (Source: iStock)
Genetic defects underlie about a fourth of Chinese children affected by cerebral palsy, and not a lack of oxygen at birth as previously thought, new research has found.
Cerebral palsy is a disorder affecting one’s ability to move. It is the most common motor disability in children, with symptoms emerging in infancy and early childhood.
The disability is sometimes also associated with autism and intellectual deficiencies.
Birth asphyxia, or receiving insufficient oxygen at the time of being born, can cause physical harm, especially to the brain, and is considered one of the main causes of cerebral palsy.
The world’s largest study of cerebral palsy genetics, involving more than 1,500 affected Chinese children, found that mutations were significantly higher in a fourth of these children receiving insufficient oxygen at birth.
Researchers said this indicated that birth asphyxia could be secondary to the underlying genetic defects.
The results, published in the journal Nature Medicine, are consistent with smaller studies globally, they said.
According to human geneticist Josef Gecz from the University of Adelaide, who co-led the Australian team, 24.5 per cent of Chinese children in the study had rare genetic variations linked to cerebral palsy.
”This revelation mirrors our earlier findings in our Australian cerebral palsy cohort, where up to one-third of cases have genetic causes.
”Our research shows at least some babies who experience birth asphyxia and are diagnosed with CP may have improper brain development as a result of the underlying genetic variants rather than a lack of oxygen,” said Gecz.
The researchers identified 81 mutated or altered genes that caused cerebral palsy in the children. These genes are known to be important to brain and embryo development, and may also affect molecular processes responsible for respiration, they said.
”A lack of oxygen at birth is often claimed to be the cause of CP in medical litigation following a diagnosis and this has led to the presumption that the condition is preventable with better obstetrics or midwifery. This is simply not the case,” said co-lead author Alastair MacLennan, an obstetrician and a professor, the University of Adelaide.
”Crucially, clinically actionable treatments were found in 8.5 per cent of cases with a genetic cause. It is exciting to see how genetic pathways to cerebral palsy inform tailored treatments for these individuals,” said Gecz.
The results highlighted the need for early genetic testing in children having cerebral palsy, especially those with risk factors like birth asphyxia, to ensure medical care and treatment, said MacLennan.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
World COPD Day: Know your lung function
As Delhi chokes with dangerous pollution levels, doctors warn of health risks for all
World Diabetes Day 2024: Kasturba Hospital Manipal Hosts Zumba Session at Malpe Beach to Raise Diabetes Awareness
World Diabetes Day: An overview of types of diabetes
World Diabetes Day: One-fourth of people living with diabetes in 2022 are in India, Lancet study estimates
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Siddaramaiah says confident of winning all three bypolls in Karnataka
Hop on! IT Minister Priyank Kharge checks out Uber Shuttle at Bengaluru Tech Summit
Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’
Kidnapped for ransom in 1998, 26/11 survivor Gautam Adani faces biggest trial
AIMPLB to hold its annual general sessions in Bengaluru from November 23
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.