A number of factors are known to predispose a child to developing strabismus - have a look at these in the table below

problems during pregnancy eg intrauterine infections, prematurity

birth trauma eg forceps, breech deilvery, Caesarean section

family history of squint

congenital anaomalies, mental retardation, chromosomal defects, cerbral palsy

poor general health

ocular defect or disease