Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Damage to the brain that takes place before, during, or shortly after birth is the main reason of cerebral palsy, a group of neurological disorders that for the most part affect movement. It is unknown as to what causes brain damage during the development of the fetus and the condition cannot always be avoided. Nonetheless, medical professionals know many risk factors that increase the chance a child will develop cerebral palsy.

Some of the known cerebral palsy risk factors include:

Premature birth – 40 weeks gestation is considered full-term, and preterm is generally considered 37 weeks gestation or earlier. The earlier the baby is born, the greater the risk of cerebral palsy.

Low birth weight – Babies with a birth weight of less than 5.5 pounds have a higher chance of developing cerebral palsy. The lower the weight, the greater the risk.

Multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.) – Women who are carrying more than one baby are at a greater risk of delivering preterm, and their babies are more likely to have low birth rates. These are both risk factors for cerebral palsy.

Jaundice– When severe jaundice is left untreated, it can lead to a condition called kernicterus and this is a direct cause of cerebral palsy.

Breech presentation – Babies who are in breech (feet first) position at the time of labor face a heightened risk of developing cerebral palsy.

Exposure to toxins – Cerebral palsy is a risk to babies who are exposed to toxins while still in the womb.

Maternal health – Certain conditions, including mental retardation, hyperthyroidism and seizures, in the mother can increase the risk of cerebral palsy in an unborn child.

Pregnancy complications – Late-term bleeding, excess protein in the urine, infections and other complications during pregnancy can increase the likelihood that a child will develop cerebral palsy.

Difficult labor – Problems that arise during labor and delivery, such as fetal distress, can increase the risk of cerebral palsy if not handled properly. Factors such as C-sections, vacuum extraction and the use of forceps can increase the risk.

Was Cerebral Palsy the Diagnosis of Your Child?

Wondering why your child developed cerebral palsy is natural and the answers are sometimes unknown. In many cases, cerebral palsy is not preventable. some cases could have been avoided 100 percent.

No parent wants to learn that their child developed cerebral palsy because of medical negligence. Parents do have legal options if they ever have to face this reality. Victims of medical malpractice and their families may file a lawsuit to hold the doctor(s) or other negligent party(s) accountable for the losses they’ve endured – losses such as pain and suffering, lifetime medical costs, loss of earning capacity, etc.

Our law firm is representing families who have suffered damages by medical negligence. A free evaluation of your claim will be given to you if you suspect that your child’s cerebral palsy is due to medical malpractice.

 

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