In short, cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage or abnormal brain development during pregnancy or birth. Common causes of this congenital disorder include: Medical errors during pregnancy , Birth injuries which are generally caused medical malpractice, Maternal infection during pregnancy, Fetal brain bleeds either during pregnancy or post-birth, Fetal stroke, Infant infections, Lack of oxygen to the brain during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, and Traumatic brain injury due to medical mistakes during birth.