What is a characteristic cause of cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is primarily characterized by a non-progressive lesion of the brain that occurs before birth, during birth, or shortly after birth. This condition arises due to various neurological injuries, which can result from factors such as lack of oxygen during birth, intracranial hemorrhage, or developmental brain malformations. The term "non-progressive" indicates that the brain lesions do not worsen over time; rather, the primary damage is established early on in brain development.

In contrast, while genetic mutations and infections during childhood may lead to various developmental disorders or impairments, they do not represent characteristic causes of cerebral palsy. Genetic mutations typically relate to conditions that may manifest differently and are not specific to the disturbances seen in cerebral palsy. Similarly, traumatic injuries occurring in early childhood can lead to brain injury but are not the defining characteristics of cerebral palsy, which is rooted in earlier developmental issues rather than acquired postnatal injuries. Thus, the correct response highlights the fundamental nature of cerebral palsy resulting from specific brain injuries or lesions that develop during critical periods of brain growth, making it a distinct condition.