Abstract
The search for causes of perinatal brain damage needs a solid
theoretical foundation. Current theory apparently does
not offer a unanimously accepted view of what constitutes
a cause, and how it can be identified. We discuss nine potential
theoretical misconceptions: (1) too narrow a view of what
is a cause (causal production vs. facilitation), (2) extrapolating
from possibility to fact (potential vs. factual causation),
(3) if X, then invariably Y (determinism vs. probabilism), (4)
co-occurrence in individuals vs. association in populations,
(5) one cause is all that is needed (single cause attribution vs.
multicausal constellations), (6) drawing causal inferences
from very small numbers of observations (the tendency to
generalize), (7) unstated causal inferences, (8) ignoring heterogeneity,
and (9) failing to consider alternative explanations
for what is observed. We hope that our critical discussion
will contribute to fruitful research and help reduce the
burden of perinatal brain damage.