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The Cerebral Palsy Child : FAQS


What is cerebral palsy?

    A cerebral palsy child suffers from one or a combination of a number of disorders that impair muscle control caused by damage to an infants developing brain. The four main categories are:

      Athetoid CP which is caused by damage to the areas of the brain that enable smooth, coordinated movements and maintain body posture.

      Spastic CP is the most common form and the muscles remain in a constant state of increased involuntary reflex which causes stiff and jerky movements.

      Ataxic CP is characterised by slow, uncoordinated, unsteady and shaky movement.

      Mixed CP is a combination of the above types but is most often a mixture of spasticity and athetoid movements.

What are the causes?

    It is caused by damage to the developing brain which may be as a result of infections during pregnancy in the mother, jaundice in the infant, physical trauma and birth injuries.

What are the risk factors associated with having a cerebral palsy child ?

    The risk factors include :-

    • breech deliveries
    • birth defects
    • low birth weight and premature birth
    • multiple deliveries
    • seizures shortly after birth
    • low Apgar score which reflects a newborn's condition
    • blood type incompatibility between mother and child
    • micro-organism infection of the child’s nervous system

Is it progressive?

    Cerebral palsy is non-progressive however the symptoms suffered by a cerebral palsy child may change with time.

How is it diagnosed?

    Doctors must test the child's motor skills and carefully consider the medical history and in particular look for evidence of slow development, abnormal muscle tone and unusual posture. Tests and scans may assist in excluding other conditions.

Is there any treatment?

    The condition cannot be cured however, treatment can improve the quality of life by increasing independent mobility. Treatment may include surgery, medications and physical therapy.

How can it be prevented?

    Regular antenatal care can assist in the early recognition of potential problems which may predispose a child to being born with this condition. Once the risk has been recognised appropriate action can be taken by healthcare professionals.

What are the symptoms?

    A cerebral palsy child may vary from being clumsy to showing extensive spasticity. Parents may notice that their child is not reaching normal developmental milestones at the age that they should reach them. The child may also show an unusual posture or favor one side of their body or show lack of bodily control or suffer from stiff and jerky movements.

Was it caused by medical malpractice?

    The following items may indicate negligence on the part of a healthcare professional :-

    • failure to recognize and treat seizures following delivery
    • leaving the child in the birth canal too long causing a lack of oxygen to the brain
    • excessive use of vacuum extraction
    • failure to detect a prolapsed umbilical cord reducing oxygen supply
    • improper use of delivery forceps
    • not responding to changes in the fetal heart rate
    • failure to perform a c-section in the presence of fetal distress
    • failure to plan a c-section for a potentially large birth weight
    • failure to diagnose and treat jaundice or meningitis
    • failure to respond to the mother's high blood pressure or toxemia

If you believe that your child's condition is as a result of medical malpractice and you would like free advice on cerebral palsy settlements from a specialist attorney just complete the contact form and a member of The Association of Trial Lawyers of America will telephone to discuss your child's claim with no further obligation.