Unerstanding Cerebral Palsy Causes
Medical professionals do not understand fully as to what causes cerebral palsy. They do know however, that brain damage to a developing fetus can result in cerebral palsy. Doctors also know that if there is damage done to a babys brain during delivery, the child may suffer cerebral palsy. There are recognized factors that can cause cerebral palsy:
Mother’s Infections
Maternal infections increase the risk that your child will develop brain damage and can cause cerebral palsy. Some maternal infections include:
*UTI – urinary tract infection
*Kidney or bladder infection
*Rubella
*Chorioamnionitis,
*Parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii
Infections left untreated can result in your child having cerebral palsy, an incurable condition. You should seek medical attention if you think you have an infection and you are pregnant.
Pre and Neonatal Complications
The risk of cerebral palsy increases when you have an infection during prenatal/neonatal care:
*Bacterial meningitis
*Encephalitis that is viral
*Group B streptococcal infection
*Group B Herpes
*A whole-body inflammatory state due to infection
*Rh incompatibility
*Severe jaundice in the infant
It is difficult to know precisely how these complications result in cerebral palsy. There are facts that prove that prenatal infections can lead to early labor and delivery. More evidence show that infections prompt brain damage which essentially may result in cerebral palsy.
Premature Birth/Low Birth Weight
There are cases when a baby is born before 37 weeks and they are not fully developed, in these cases you are at a higher risk of your baby having cerebral palsy.
Premature infants are more defenseless than babies of regular term and they will most likely experience more complications with their health and have to be hospitalized.
Some factors that will put your baby at risk to premature birth/low birth weight are: smoking; drug/alcohol use; stress; abnormal cervix; having twins or triplets prior to current pregnancy.
Birth Injuries & Medical Malpractice
Cerebral palsy is not always inherited. In fact many cases of children with cerebral palsy could have been prevented. There are rules and guidelines for medical professionals to follow.
Medical professionals must follow hospital procedures and guidelines to ensure safety of the patient. If there are signs of stress on the baby, the staff must act promptly. Infections need to be treated in a timely manner. Using instruments such as forceps need to be used correctly and adequate oxygen supply needs to be monitored.
These medical errors are usually unintentional but what families go through for the rest of their childs life is devastating. The costs of treatments are financially draining and families have the right to recover some of the losses. There are laws to protect families of a child with cerebral palsy. Contact a cerebral palsy attorney because they can advise you of your legal options and what is best for your child.
Contacting a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
Caring for a child with cerebral palsy is costly. The cost of treatments, therapies, medications, surgeries and other related expenses are overwhelming. It can cost a family over $500,000 to treat your child over a lifetime. A cerebral palsy attorney can help you recover losses you have suffered such as lost wages, treatments for your child and even pain and suffering. If you think your child suffered damage to the brain resulting in cerebral palsy then get in touch with a cerebral palsy attorney. They are experienced in these kinds of cases and they have resources to help you get the compensation you deserve.
To find additional information on cerebral palsy causes discover the articles and news available on the Cerebral Palsy Law Blog.