SIGNS OF CEREBRAL PALSY
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Cerebral palsy is a physical disorder that affects the brain's ability to properly control the body.
Signs of cerebral palsy can be present at birth or it may take a while to recognize the disorder in a child.Cerebral palsy develops when a child is in the womb or during the birthing process. Child cerebral palsy is evident in the first two years of life. Approximately 500,000 people in the United States have cerebral palsy and 4,500 children are diagnosed with the disorder each year.
Because cerebral palsy may be present at birth, the signs of cerebral palsy that may be noticed immediately following delivery are:
- -Premature birth (the risk of developing cerebral palsy is thirty times greater in premature babies)
- -Babies weighing less than three pounds
Other signs of cerebral palsy
- -Complications in pregnancy and child bearing
- -Prenatal infection
- -Rh incompatibility between the mother and the fetus
- -Fetal stroke
- -A difficult or abnormally traumatic birthing process can also cause problems and complications that lead to the signs of cerebral palsy
The signs of cerebral palsy may be present at birth. Newborns that are born with obvious signs of cerebral palsy, such as intracranial bleeding or severe lung problems, may be diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after delivery. These children should be closely monitored for further signs of cerebral palsy that may hinder development and muscle function in the young child.
If a baby is born full term and there are no obvious signs of cerebral palsy present at birth, it may be difficult to diagnose a cerebral palsy patient. In these cases, the signs of cerebral palsy may be revealed as developmental process delays. Mastery of certain developmental abilities tends to occur at certain times during an infant's growth. Developmental delays, the persistence of infantile reflexes, or difficulty with motor skills may all be signs of cerebral palsy.
Signs of cerebral palsy may also occur after a child suffers a traumatic physical event during the first few years of life. Children who suffer a brain injury, lack of oxygen for a period of time (as caused by an accident), central nervous system infections, or any other type of accident that causes injury to the brain may develop signs of cerebral palsy.
The signs of cerebral palsy can be present before delivery, develop during child birth, shortly thereafter, or within the first few years of life. These signs of cerebral palsy that indicate a child has this disease may be caused by medical negligence during pregnancy or childbirth or other negligence that causes a traumatic brain injury. If your child has developed the signs of cerebral palsy and you suspect they are the result of another party's negligence, a personal injury lawyer can evaluate the circumstances in your case.
For more information about the causes and signs of cerebral palsy that may indicate negligence, please contact us to confer with a qualified attorney.
