Dec 09 2009
Cerebral Palsy Causes – Understanding the Origins of Cerebral Palsy
A brain injury that happens during the development of fetus or a newborn can cause cerebral palsy. The causes of brain damage are not understood by doctors however it is known that there are risk factors that can contribute to the condition such as:
Maternal Infections
The chances your baby will have some level of brain damage increases nine times if the mother gets an infection while pregnant. Some infections include:
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Infection of the bladder or kidney
Rubella
Infection of the bloodstream such as Sepsis
Chorioamnionitis, a uterus infection
Toxoplasmosis
Maternal infections can be prevented and if left untreated can result in your baby developing this disability. If you are having a baby and you think you may have an infection go see your doctor to get treated.
Prenatal/Neonatal Infections & Complications
The risk of cerebral palsy increases when you have an infection during prenatal/neonatal care:
* Bacterial meningitis
* Viral encephalitis
* Group B streptococcal infection
* Herpes group B
* Sepsis
* Rh incompatibility
* Severe Jaundice
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 disability.
Premature Birth/Low Birth Weight
Having a baby before 37 weeks of development increases the risk of cerebral palsy. A low birth weight may be indicated as a cause. 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.
Smoking, drug and alcohol use, stress, some infections of the mother, abnormal cervix, and previous pregnancies that were preterm are all factors that will put your baby at a higher risk.
Birth Injuries & Medical Malpractice
Not all cases are inherited (also known as congenital). There have been cases where a child suffers brain damage during the actual delivery that resulted in cerebral palsy. Injuries at birth can and should be prevented. Still, it does happen and here are some examples of procedures that if ignored, can result in an injury to the brain:
- Maternal infections diagnosed and treated promptly
- Identify and act upon fetal distress
- A C-section done in a timely manner
- Treat jaundice in the newborn
- Make sure there is enough oxygen to give
- Use instruments such as forceps correctly
Medical malpractice is not normally done on purpose, but what a family must go through after is unfair. The financial stress alone is overwhelming. It is a family’s right to be compensated for the permanent condition your child is in because of neglect. Families can file a lawsuit when medical malpractice caused your child’s disabilityt. There is help out there for families to recover cost for treatments, medications and other losses.
When to Talk to a Medical Attorney
If your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy because the delivery of your baby was difficult a medical error may have occurred. You should contact a medical attorney right away. Treating a child with this disability is very expensive and can cost more than $500,000 over the child’s lifespan. It is an unfair situation for families to be put in and that is why you may be entitled to some compensation. You can recover losses when filing a medical malpractice lawsuit and be compensated for treatments, also for mental anguish, pain and suffering and other related costs. Remember there is no cure for cerebral palsy, the cost for care is expensive, you have rights and a medical attorney can go over your legal options.
Brainpalsy.com is brought to you as part of a joint effort to educate people about cerebral palsy and help families affected by the disease. Our goal is to make life easier for families. We understand that caring for a child with cerebral palsy is extremely difficult. Parents naturally have many questions about their child's cerebral palsy. Brainpalsy.com aims to provide information that answers these questions. If you find our site useful, please share it with others.