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Saturday, 5 December 2009

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

By Daniel Fastbinder

Medical professionals do not understand fully as to what causes cerebral palsy. They do know however, that brain damage to a developing fetus can result in cerebral palsy. Doctors also know that if there is damage done to a babys brain during delivery, the child may suffer cerebral palsy. There are recognized factors that can cause cerebral palsy:

Infections in the Mother

Maternal infections increase the risk that your child will develop brain damage and can cause cerebral palsy. Some maternal infections include:

*Urinary tract infections

*Kidney or bladder infection

*Rubella

*Chorioamnionitis,

*Toxoplasmosis: an infection caused by a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii.

If these infections are not treated right away the results can be devastating for your child. Seek medical attention the minute you think you have an infection.

Pre and Neonatal Complications

Infection during prenatal/neonatal care puts your baby at a high risk of getting cerebral palsy because of some brain damage. Be aware of infections such as:

*Severe meningitis - usually bacterial

*Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) due to virus

*Group B streptococcal infection

*Herpes group B

*A whole-body inflammatory state due to infection

*Incompatible Rh factors between Mother and Baby

*Infant jaundice that is severe

Complications are hard to figure in out how it actually results in cerebral palsy. Medical staff do know that prenatal infections very well may lead to an early delivery. There is more evidence to show that infections can trigger brain damage, resulting in cerebral palsy.

Low Birth Weight or Premature Birth

Having a baby before 37 weeks of development increases the chance of cerebral palsy. A low birth weight can contribute to cerebral palsy also.

The risk is higher too if the baby was born at a low birth weight. In these cases the baby does not have a strong enough defense system. When they get sick they usually end up in the hospital for care.

There are factors that contribute to a premature birth or a baby with a low birth weight such as smoking, drug or alcohol abuse or abnormal cervix. Stress can also be a cause, even having twins or triplets from another pregnancy can higher your risks.

Birth Injuries & Medical Malpractice

It is important to know that cerebral palsy is not always inherited. Your child can suffer damage to the brain during labor and delivery then resulting in cerebral palsy. These types of damages should have been prevented if the proper procedures were followed.

The doctors and medical staff must act in a timely manner when preparing for a birth of a baby. Acting immediately when there are signs of fetal distress, any maternal infections or jaundice in the baby are important. Making sure there is enough oxygen supply, instruments such as forceps are used correctly or C-sections performed promptly is also a part of the medical staffs responsibility.

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 familys 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 childs cerebral palsy. There is help out there for families to recover cost for treatments, medications and other losses.

When to Talk to a Cerebral Palsy Attorney

If you think your child's cerebral palsy due to neglect of a medical professional then contact a medical malpractice attorney. There is a statute of limitations on cases like these so it is important to go seek the advice of an attorney right away. Supporting a child with cerebral palsy can cost a family more than $500,000 over their lifespan. However families can talk to an attorney and they can help you recover losses such as lost wages, treatments, and even non-monetary losses such as mental anguish. Talk to an attorney and they will give your legal options to consider.

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