Emergent serious condition of the neonates associated with cerebral palsy in Japan

Objective: To analyze the emergent serious conditions contributing to cerebral palsy (CP) of neonates without a history of the necessity of neonatal resuscitation within 5 minutes after delivery in Japan. Methods: To examine the clinical courses regarding CP cases, we reviewed the summary reports of antenatal- and peripartum CP cases published on the home page of the Japan Obstetric Compensation System for Cerebral Palsy (JOCSC) launched in 2009. Results: Between January 2009 and February 2016, in Japan there were 51 cases analyzed as CP due to emergent serious condition of the neonates without a history of necessity of neonatal resuscitation within 5 minutes after delivery at the Japan Obstetric Compensation System for CP. The main pathological conditions described as the cause of CP were as follows: the concept of brief resolved unexplained events/apparent life-threatening event (n = 15), neonatal Group B streptococcus infection (n = 12), herpes simplex virus infection (n = 6), neonatal hypoglycemia (n = 3), and neonatal hyperkalemia (n = 3). Conclusions: Based on the current cases, we should note that neonates are very unstable, especially in the early period after delivery.