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Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group
of conditions affecting control of movement and posture. The
characteristics of CP may vary widely between individuals depending on
the degree and location of brain damage. Symptoms may range from mild
to severe, and diagnostic techniques can help determine the extent of
the condition.
While most doctors, nurses, midwives,
and hospital technicians provide a high standard of care for their
patients, unfortunately, many families are harmed by medical mistakes.
Parents of a child suffering with cerebral palsy should contact an
experienced cerebral palsy lawyer to research the cause of their
child’s condition. Medical mistakes are responsible for many birth
injury cases and it would be impossible for a parent, alone, to
determine if medical malpractice caused their child's injury. It is
only through the dedicated and thorough efforts of a legal and medical
team that the cause can be ascertained.
We are medical malpractice lawyers handling
cerebral palsy lawsuits caused by negligent doctor error and mistakes.
1-888-4-MEDLAW.
Risk Factors | Symptoms
| Diagnosis
Risk Factors
Risk factors are variables that have been observed to have an effect
on the diagnosis of medical conditions. Risk factors do not, by
themselves, indicate that a condition will occur, nor does the lack of
a risk factor mean that a condition will not occur. The presence of
risk factors may simply point to an increased likelihood, not a
certainty, for the development of cerebral palsy.
The following risk factors in
parents, may increase the risk of cerebral palsy (CP) in their child:
- If the Mother is over 40 years old,
or younger than 20 years old;
- If the Father is younger than 20
years old;
- African-American ethnicity -
cerebral palsy has a higher rate of incidence within the
African-American community;
The following risk factors
related to pregnancy or the delivery, may increase the risk of CP:
- If the pregnancy is the first, or
is the fifth or later in the family;
- Twinning, or multiple child
pregnancy, can lead to lower birth weights and/or prematurity -
increasing the risk for CP;
- Vaginal bleeding in the third
trimester;
- Low birth weight - under 5.7 pounds;
- Premature birth, less than 37 weeks;
- Breech birth;
- Fetal Distress, respiratory or
vascular problems during delivery;
- Low Apgar score - infant heart rate,
breathing, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color are each scored
as 0 (low), 1 (intermediate), or 2 (normal) after delivery. A
total score of 7-10 at 5 minutes is considered normal; 4-6,
intermediate; and 0-3, low. Scores that remain low 10-20 minutes
after delivery indicate increased risk for CP.
Additional risk factors for
cerebral palsy include:
- Rh or ABO blood type incompatibility
between mother and child;
- Serious viral infections (ex.,
German Measles) during early pregnancy;
Cerebral
Palsy Symptoms
Cerebral Palsy syndromes are grouped into four main categories: spastic, athetoid,
ataxic, and mixed forms. Each type is characterized by different
symptoms:
Spastic Cerebral Palsy
- occurs in about 70% of cases. The spasticity is due to upper motor
neuron involvement and may mildly or severely affect motor function.
The syndrome may produce
hemiplegia,
paraplegia, quadriplegia, or diplegia.
Affected limbs usually are underdeveloped and show increased deep
tendon reflexes, weakness, and a tendency toward contractures. A
scissors gait and toe walking are characteristic. In mildly affected
children, impairment may occur only during certain activities (eg,
running). With quadriplegia, an associated impairment of oral,
lingual, and palatal movement, with consequent
dysarthria,
is common.
Athetoid Cerebral Palsy - occurs in about 20% of cases. Slow,
writhing, involuntary movements may affect the extremities (athetoid)
or the proximal parts of the limbs and the trunk (dystonia);
abrupt, jerky, distal movements (choreiform)
also may occur. The movements increase with emotional tension and
disappear during sleep.
Dysarthria
occurs and is often severe.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy - occurs in about 10% of cases. Weakness,
incoordination, and intention tremor produce unsteadiness, a
wide-based gait, and difficulty with rapid or fine movements.
Mixed CP - is not uncommon, and is a combination of the above
types but is most often a mixture of spasticity and athetoid
movements, with tight muscle tone and involuntary reflex.
Symptoms of cerebral palsy may be evident immediately after birth, or
may take months or years (1,200 - 1,500 preschool children are
diagnosed each year), to become noticeable. Parents may notice that
their child is slow to reach developmental milestones or displays
abnormal behavior.
- At 3 months there may be a
lack of facial expressions, the baby may not respond to some
sounds, or is unable to follow movement with their eyes.
- The child may not be able to bring
their hands together at 4 months.
- A child with cerebral palsy may not
display the coordination to lift their head, or rollover at 6
months.
- At 8 months the baby may not
be able to sit up by themselves, or without support. There may be
a head lag when the child is placed in a sitting position.
- By 12 months the child may
not be able to crawl.
- Drooling is a common problem because
of the lack of facial and muscle control.
- Muscle tremor or
spasticity
may be evident, with a tendency of infants to tuck their arms in
toward their sides, scissors movements of the legs, or other
abnormal movements.
- Feeding may be a continuous effort
and problematic.
- Excessive stiffness when dressing,
changing diapers, or bathing.
It is important to realize
that the presence of any of these symptoms does not necessarily
indicate your child has cerebral palsy. Children develop on different
timeframes, and symptoms are often outgrown. Only your doctor can make
an accurate diagnosis and provide you with the information you need to
care for your child.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of cerebral palsy includes the consideration and
monitoring of many factors, and may not be made until after the first
or second years of development. A child's brain and central nervous
system have an amazing ability to recover completely, or partially,
following injury - this sometimes leads to a delay in diagnosis. In
addition, children develop at different rates, and motor skill
difficulties can frequently be signs of other problems - misdirecting
diagnosis. In most cases, an interdisciplinary team of medical
professionals will be gathered to review the child's strengths and
weaknesses, test results, risk factors and medical history. Based on
these numerous criteria, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy may be made.
Several tests can be used to assist in the diagnosis, and determine
the severity of cerebral palsy:
- Intelligence tests often are
administered to a child with CP to evaluate mental impairment;
- An electroencephalogram (EEG) traces
electrical activity in the brain and can reveal patterns that
suggest a seizure disorder;
- Imaging tests are helpful in
diagnosing hydrocephalus, structural abnormalities, and tumors.
This information can help the physician assess the child's
long-term prognosis;
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create pictures of the
internal structures of the brain. This study is performed on older
children. It defines abnormalities of white matter and motor
cortex more clearly than other methods;
Cerebral palsy diagnosis
depends on many factors, a team of medical professionals can make an
accurate diagnosis, and assist in determining a long-term prognosis
for the child. While a medical diagnosis can be determined, often what
caused the cerebral palsy cannot be, read more about Cerebral
Palsy Causes.
Parents of a child
suffering with cerebral palsy should contact an experienced
cerebral palsy lawyer to research the cause of their child’s
condition. Haste is essential. Litigation may be the only way to receive
compensation to which you may be entitled. Such compensation will likely
include lost wages, medical bills, and/or financial compensation to
heirs (in the case of a wrongful death).
Contact Medlaw Legal Team
at cp@myadvocates.com or
1-888-4-MEDLAW, so we can assist you in determining if you are entitled
to receive compensation for the harm caused to you. Our physicians /
attorneys will review your situation and inform you promptly as to
whether you have a case.
Cerebral
Palsy Information
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