Preventing cerebral palsy

1 in 500 Australian babies is born with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is when a baby's developing brain is damaged - and is often linked to premature birth. There is no cure for this condition.

Can we prevent cerebral palsy?

Associate Professor Philippa Middleton and her colleagues worked on understanding how giving magnesium sulphate to expectant mums can prevent babies from being born with cerebral palsy. Once this theory was confirmed by clinical trials, Associate Professor Middleton worked with a team to establish nationally recognised guidelines to help doctors and pregnant women understand the best practice for use of magnesium sulphate when faced with the risk of premature birth.

Acknowledgments

Associate Professor Middleton is also affiliated with The University of Adelaide. This research is funded by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

The Antenatal Magnesium Sulphate Prior to Preterm Birth for Neuroprotection of the Fetus, Infant and Child document available for download is provded courtsey of the Australian Research Centre for Health of Women and Babies, The University of Adelaide.