Could Genetic Testing Help Explain Cerebral Palsy? New Study Offers Answers
A 2026 study in the journal BMC Pediatrics found that genetic testing for cerebral palsy (CP) may help explain why some children have the condition.
Researchers tested 27 children with CP and their parents using 2 types of genetic sequencing. The testing found clear genetic causes in some children and possible causes in others.
Genetic testing is not yet a standard part of how doctors diagnose cerebral palsy. The study authors said it should be.
For families who never got a clear answer about why their child has CP, this research points to another option to ask a doctor about.
Genetic Testing for Cerebral Palsy: What New Research Shows
Researchers used 2 tests together instead of just 1. The first test reads a child's full genetic code. The second test shows how those genes are working inside the body.
Testing the parents too helped researchers see which genetic changes came from a parent and which showed up for the first time in the child.
- 2 children had a genetic change that likely caused their CP
- 7 children had a genetic change, but its meaning was unclear
- 3 of the genes involved had been tied to CP in past research
The researchers said combining both tests gave a more complete picture than either test alone. Some findings only showed up when they looked at gene activity, not just the genetic code itself.
Why Cerebral Palsy Genetic Testing Is Changing
Doctors usually diagnose cerebral palsy by watching how a child moves and grows, reading birth records, and taking pictures of the brain. Genetic testing has not been a normal part of that process, but this study is part of a growing push to change that.
Knowing the cause of a child's condition can shape the cerebral palsy treatment that follows.
Certain genetic results tell doctors which treatments are more likely to help, and others reveal health conditions the medical team should start watching for.
Families who learn their child's specific genetic condition can often connect with other families managing the same one, and parents who are considering having more children can meet with a genetic counselor to understand what the results mean for future pregnancies.
A genetic answer will not change your child's cerebral palsy prognosis, but it can give your family and your child's doctors a clearer sense of what to watch for and plan around.
Is Cerebral Palsy Genetic? What Parents Need to Know
Cerebral palsy has many causes, and genetics is only one of them. Some cases of CP are tied to medical mistakes that could have been avoided.
CP is often caused by complications during childbirth, including:
- Bleeding in the brain
- Lack of oxygen during delivery
- Premature birth
- Serious infections like meningitis
This study suggests genetic causes may be more common than doctors once thought. That does not mean most CP is genetic. It means genetics is worth a closer look when no other cause was ever found. Many children with CP will never get a genetic answer.
"There are several causes of cerebral palsy, but many cases are linked to problems that affect a baby’s brain during pregnancy or delivery. One of the most common is oxygen loss."
— Kristin Proctor, RNC-OB, Cerebral Palsy Guide on-staff registered nurse
Does Cerebral Palsy Show Up on Genetic Testing?
Not always. In this study, only 2 of 27 children received a clear genetic answer. Another 7 children had genetic changes that researchers could not fully interpret.
These are called variants of uncertain significance, and they mean the testing found something that may or may not be meaningful.
- The type of cerebral palsy a child has
- Whether the cause was genetic in the first place
- Which genes are involved and how well they are understood
- Which type of testing a doctor orders
Parents should go into genetic testing knowing it may not produce a clear answer, which is often a normal outcome.
Larger studies are needed before genetic testing becomes a routine part of how doctors diagnose cerebral palsy.
Tests and Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy
Genetic testing usually starts with a blood sample from the child. Many labs also test both parents, which helps doctors tell whether a genetic change was inherited or appeared on its own. Results can take several weeks to a few months.
Results generally come back 1 of 3 ways: a clear genetic cause was found, a genetic change was found, but its meaning is unclear, or no genetic cause was found.
It may be worth asking your child's doctor about genetic testing if:
- No cause for your child's CP was ever identified
- Other family members have similar conditions
- Your child has symptoms beyond movement problems
- Your child's brain imaging looked normal or unclear
A genetic counselor can help families understand which category their results fall into. Many children's hospitals and neurology clinics have one on staff.
Getting Answers About Your Child's Cerebral Palsy
Start with your child's neurologist or pediatrician. Ask whether genetic testing makes sense based on your child's history and whether your insurance covers it.
Also ask whether anything in your child's birth records was ever flagged. Genetic testing can identify a cause or rule one out.
However, a result that finds nothing genetic may leave open questions about what happened during labor and delivery that may have caused your child’s CP. An experienced cerebral palsy attorney can review your child's medical records to determine whether the care your family received fell short.
At Cerebral Palsy Guide, our labor and delivery nurses can help you understand your child's diagnosis. We can also connect you with experienced legal help if negligence is suspected.
Call us at (855) 220-1101 or fill out our contact form to talk with one of our caring registered nurses. There’s never any cost or obligation to talk with our team.
Written by:Cerebral Palsy GuideCerebral Palsy Guide was founded upon the goal of educating families about cerebral palsy, raising awareness, and providing support for children, parents, and caregivers affected by the condition. Our easy-to-use website offers simple, straightforward information that provides families with medical and legal solutions. We are devoted to helping parents and children access the tools they need to live a life full of happiness
