Cerebral palsy is the term used to define a condition in which a patient will have difficulty speaking, walking, thinking and coordinating movement. Cerebral palsy results from trauma to the brain. Nearly 90 percent of all cerebral palsy cases develop before or during the birthing process; only 10 percent are due to some trauma that occurs after birth within the first days of life.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 1 in every 278 infants are born with cerebral palsy. However, most are not diagnosed until they are between 9 months and 3 years old, as the symptoms will not be apparent until newborns have become more mature.
Cerebral Palsy Causes
While the causes of some cerebral palsy cases are unidentifiable, when the source of trauma can be found out, it may be due to any combination of:
- maternal infections
- fetal infections
- problems with the infant's brain development during the pregnancy
- fetal stroke
- lack of oxygen for the infant before or during the birthing process
- untreated jaundice
- medical mistakes made before, during or immediately after birth
When medical mistakes play a role in causing cerebral palsy, they may include failure to diagnose and treat:
- a baby's lack of oxygen, meningitis and/or seizures
- a mother's high blood pressure, toxemia or infections
- a prolapsed umbilical cord (meaning the cord is caught around a baby's neck, potentially cutting off the oxygen supply)
- heart rate changes in the mother or baby
Additionally, failing to perform an emergency C-section as well as improper use of forceps and overuse of vacuum extraction, are also forms of malpractice that can cause cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy Symptoms
Symptoms of cerebral palsy may include any combination of:
- difficulty speaking, swallowing and/or making precise movements, such as unbuttoning a shirt or writing
- abnormal muscle tone
- involuntary movements, such as writhing or grimacing
- lack of coordination and balance
- mental retardation
- seizures and/or tremors
Has your child been diagnosed with cerebral palsy?
If so, it is important to know that you are not alone. There are several resources available to parents whose children have cerebral palsy. For useful information, contact our cerebral palsy lawyer. Our cerebral palsy attorneys have experience helping families affected by cerebral palsy to get compensation to help them move forward with their loves. To find out if you have a legal claim that will allow you to seek compensation, please call us toll free at (800) 646-6570 or send us an email and a qualified professional will be in contact with you shortly.
