Questions?What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions that affect the brain and nervous system. People with cerebral palsy will have problems with movement, cognition, sight, and hearing.
Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition, so patients experience its symptoms throughout their lives. Cerebral palsy doesn’t improve or worsen over time, though its symptoms may lead to other health issues.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is caused by injury, infection, or trauma to the brain. The resulting damage leads to permanent changes in the brain.
In many cases, the injury that causes cerebral palsy occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. Many conditions may put a baby at risk of developing cerebral palsy. Sadly, many of these issues can be treated and prevented with proper medical care.
Common causes of cerebral palsy include:
- Bleeding in the brain
- Brain infections
- Infections in the mother during pregnancy that spread to the fetus
- Lack of oxygen (asphyxia) in the brain during labor or delivery
- Low levels of oxygen in the brain (hypoxia)
- Premature birth complications
- Severe jaundice
- Other head injuries
Is Cerebral Palsy Genetic?
Usually, cerebral palsy is not something that a child inherits through genes. Typically, it develops due to trauma or damage to the baby’s brain before, during, or after their birth. However, recent studies suggest genetics may play a role in some cases.
Sometimes cerebral palsy symptoms are similar to those found in some genetic disorders. During your child’s cerebral palsy assessment, their doctor may run blood tests to rule out any genetic disorders that your child might have in addition to their cerebral palsy.
How Is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?
Although it is difficult to diagnose an infant with cerebral palsy, most children are officially diagnosed before the age of 3. Many initial symptoms of cerebral palsy overlap with other issues, which can make the process difficult for parents.
An experienced doctor will take note of any symptoms and conduct a series of tests, scans, and exams in order to determine if your child has cerebral palsy. These include blood tests, MRIs, physical examinations, and CT scans.
There have been impressive advances in cerebral palsy care in recent years. Depending on their symptoms, many kids with cerebral palsy can go on to live healthy, comfortable, and independent lives.
What Are the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?
The symptoms that appear with cerebral palsy depend on where and how badly the brain was damaged. Depending on the severity, symptoms may be noticed immediately after birth or not be noticed until months or years later.
Cerebral palsy symptoms in babies and children include:
- Breathing problems at birth that require oxygen, CPR, or a breathing tube
- Contracted joints in the arms, legs, or trunk
- Difficulty sitting, standing, or walking
- Feeding problems such as poor sucking, poor weight gain, or the need for a feeding tube
- High-pitched crying immediately after birth
- Inability to speak
- Lazy or crossed eyes (strabismus)
- Muscle tightness or spasticity, including balled fists or rigid legs
- Muscle weakness or “floppiness,” including trouble supporting the head or neck
- Paralysis
- Seizures, either obvious convulsions or subtle staring spells
- Sudden lack of energy
Can Cerebral Palsy Be Cured?
At this time, there is no cure for cerebral palsy or its symptoms. However, medical experts continue to research with the hopes of finding a cure.
While cerebral palsy cannot be cured, many of its symptoms can be treated. Treatments vary depending on the type of cerebral palsy present.
Cerebral Palsy Treatment Options
Treatments for cerebral palsy can help manage or improve its symptoms. In some cases, people can make significant improvements with different treatments.
A combination of different treatments works best to manage different issues that may occur together. Treatments work best when they are started early, especially physical therapy for stiff muscles.
Cerebral palsy treatments can include:
- Physical therapy to stretch tight muscles and help prevent deformities. A cerebral palsy physical therapist can also train your older child to use adaptive equipment, including cerebral palsy wheelchairs and adaptations to the sink and toilet to meet their needs.
- Medications such as muscle relaxants help to loosen up stiff and contracted muscles. Children who experience seizures might need anticonvulsant medications to treat them.
- Surgery can lengthen tendons of stiff muscles and cut some nerve roots in the spinal cord to reduce muscle tightness. Surgery is only recommended for severe cases.
- Long-term care at a specialized facility, where a team of doctors, nurses, and specialists work together to provide the best care for your child’s condition.
- Participation in social activities, such as support groups, daycares, and summer camps designed for children with cerebral palsy.
How Frequently Does Cerebral Palsy Occur?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that anywhere between 2 and 6 out of every 1,000 children born will be diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Unfortunately, cerebral palsy rates have not decreased, though the quality of care of expectant mothers has increased. This may be due to the fact that cerebral palsy incidence is higher in premature babies, and advances in care help more of them survive than ever before.
What Should I Do if I Think My Child Has Cerebral Palsy?
If you believe your child has cerebral palsy, a good first step is to make a note of the signs or symptoms you see that appear not to match typical developmental milestones. If you observe serious or concerning symptoms, address them promptly, as a child may require immediate medical attention. You should monitor mild symptoms and see whether they improve, worsen, or remain the same.
Consult a doctor or pediatrician if your child is showing developmental issues or symptoms that may indicate cerebral palsy. A medical professional will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and instruct you on the next steps you should take.
How Can I Take Legal Action?
If you suspect that medical negligence may have caused your child’s condition, we may be able to help determine whether the injury resulted from medical negligence or improper medical care.
“We have attorneys across the country who can help your family seek justice and compensation to cover lifelong treatment costs.”
– Kristin Proctor, RNC-OB, On-Staff Registered Nurse
Cerebral palsy lawsuits have a statute of limitations, meaning that after a certain amount of time, you can no longer file a claim, whether someone was responsible or not. This time period varies from state to state. Do not wait. Call us at (800) 914-1562 or get a free case review right now to get started.
