Brainpalsy.com - Helping Parents Combat Cerebral Palsy

Thousands of individuals have cerebral palsy, so it’s understandable that we’d want to know exactly what causes the disorder. Cerebral palsy doesn’t just occur in children, but adults can also have it. Patients with cerebral palsy can often lead normal lives. However, symptoms could become worse if appropriate treatment isn’t administered. Let’s talk about the causes of cerebral palsy.

Although there isn’t an exact cause to this date that could explain cerebral palsy, there are several theories and risk factors associated with cerebral palsy. Basically, cerebral palsy is said to possibly come from genetic and non-genetic factors. It is also said that there are controllable variables and others that aren’t, effects from culture and exchange between cultures, concealed and evident influences and a combination of all the factors just mentioned connected to the development of cerebral palsy. The major possible causes of cerebral palsy include genetic disorders, alcohol, jaundice, malnutrition, low birth weight and oxygen shortage.

There are some risk factors that could contribute to the development of cerebral palsy. Take note though that these are risk factors, and not a sign that one does have cerebral palsy. Mothers who are 40 years onwards, mothers who are 20 years onwards, fathers 20 years/under and individuals of African-American ethnicity have an increased chance of developing cerebral palsy. Children also have risk factors for developing cerebral palsy. The first child, a child born fifth or later in the family, children with low birth weight, premature babies and one of a pair of twins are more likely to have cerebral palsy.

There are even more risk factors associated with cerebral palsy. These include ABO blood type incompatibility between infant and mother, an attack against the central nervous system of a baby by microorganisms and German measles during early pregnancy. Having a risk factor does not mean that you have cerebral palsy. However, since you have a higher chance of having it, it is best to consult a health care professional for more information and a proper diagnosis.

There are some possible causes of cerebral palsy in children. Injury such as asphyxia can cause damage to the brain and may therefore cause cerebral palsy. A child can choke on an object, suffer from poisoning, drown, fall in a vehicle accident, become severely infected and suffer from physical abuse. All these can contribute to cerebral palsy and other problems such as hearing loss to retardation. The possible causes of cerebral palsy in adults are similar. Damage to the brain is considered a factor in the development of cerebral palsy in adults.

Cerebral palsy actually affects so many of us that research continues to find out how to prevent the condition. Since it has no known cure to this date, prevention of the condition during pregnancy is usually stressed. There are, however, several treatments available to keep symptoms at bay. If you’re looking for cerebral palsy definition, there’s a lot more information these days than in previous years. This article will discuss the common questions regarding cerebral palsy.

So what exactly is cerebral palsy? When a child turns 3 years old, he or she is most likely able to coordinate motor movements such as sitting, walking, clapping, talking and smiling. However, if a child at this age is still unable to do those basic movements then he or she has a higher possibility of having cerebral palsy. In short, cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect motor movements and muscle coordination.

To this date no one knows what the exact cause of cerebral palsy is. But there have been several factors found to contribute to the condition. Damage to a certain area or areas of the brain during the developmental stages is said to trigger cerebral palsy. The areas affected are said to be those parts in the brain that control motor movements. The unanswered question is why the damage occurs in the first place.

Here is the basic cerebral palsy definition: “Cerebral” means brain and “palsy” refers to a disorder of posture or movement. The brain keeps on developing from the fetal stage in early pregnancy until the child is around 3 years old. Because cerebral palsy has a lot to do with the developing brain, it can occur before, during or after birth. The condition is not known to affect a child once the development of the brain is complete. For instance, a child who has no signs of cerebral palsy at 5 years of age is unlikely to have cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy definition isn’t limited to just one. There are actually 3 types of cerebral palsy, which are spastic cerebral palsy, Athetoid cerebral palsy and Ataxic cerebral palsy. Spastic cerebral palsy is what triggers stiffness and movement problems. Athetoid cerebral palsy on the other hand causes sluggish involuntary movements, or movements that are uncontrollable. Finally, Ataxic cerebral palsy causes problems in balance and perceiving depth.

So just how many individuals have cerebral palsy? In the United States alone there are almost 800,000 children and adults who experience a symptom or symptoms of cerebral palsy. It is estimated that around 10,000 babies born in the country will have cerebral palsy.

The signs of the condition are a large part of cerebral palsy definition. Early signs that occur before a child turns 3 years of age may show that the child hasn’t developed any motor skills. Cerebral palsy in infants will often trigger a developmental delay. Parents may notice that their child is not reaching developmental stages in which rolling over, crawling, smiling, walking or sitting aren’t being achieved. Other signs include abnormal muscle tone, unusual posture and a difficult pregnancy involving bleeding, fevers and infection.

Many are now aware of the cerebral palsy definition. Although there is still no cure, scientists and researchers have found possible ways to prevent cerebral palsy from developing in the first place. For instance, the administration of immunizations and folate during pregnancy is found to possibly prevent cerebral palsy in the child.

Currently, there are more Cerebral Palsy lawsuits in courts across America and in Europe than there are cases of Erb’s palsy, but some of the most recent successful birth injury cases have been coming from Erb’s Palsy litigation in which a child’s brachial paralysis, or arm paralysis, was preventable and the negligence of a physician for causing harm to the infant during labor complications is considered medical malpractice.

Individuals who have suffered because of neglect and medical malpractice may have the ability to develop a lawsuit and are advised to contact an experienced medical malpractice law firm. Although some plaintiffs are awarded a very high amount, it is unusual in medical malpractice suits to receive several million dollars. However, there is the possibility for an adequate return of compensatory damages. As medical malpractice suits grow, so does the amount of compensation. According to a database of jury verdicts compiled from the LRP Publications, the average amount for a medical malpractice lawsuit has been reaching $1 million in recent years.

Individuals who feel they may be a victim of medical malpractice or negligence by a hospital, physician or other medical professional should locate a law firm specializing in medical malpractice. Those who have been affected by a birth injury are advised to better educate themselves on the steps of building a birth injury case, or, more specifically, an Erb’s Palsy lawsuit. LegalView offers instant assistance through its Web site in locating the most experienced and specialty lawyer in your area.