A population-based case control study from Sweden has identified different potential risk factors for the subtypes of cerebral palsy. The authors were unable to identify a single risk factor that was pre-eminent. Rather they observed a mix of antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal factors which differed according to cerebral palsy subtype. The authors conclude that the risk factors identified may be useful indicators for identifying children at risk of developing cerebral palsy and help to target individuals for early intervention programmes.