Cerebral palsy caused by birth injury has been alleged by numerous parents across the country, claiming their obstetrician or other medical professional acted negligently during childbirth.

While there can be a number of factors that can result in this condition, cerebral palsy caused by birth injury is possible depending on the actions the medical professional. Cerebral palsy is one of the most common birth defects affecting nearly 500,000 infants, ranging in severity depending on the patient.

This birth defect affects the brain’s ability to carry out movement orders, and it often causes motor deficiency. Patients will normally suffer from either partial or complete muscle paralysis. The condition normally occurs before, during, or shortly after birth and can become a life long condition for the child.

Overview of Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury

While scientists are unsure what exactly causes this disability, problems that happen before and during childbirth can be a significant risk factor. Some medical professionals believe this condition stems from maternal infection before the delivery, while other doctors believe cerebral palsy is caused by birth injury.

Cerebral palsy can be caused if the infant is deprived of oxygen for too long, dropped or pulled out improperly, or if an instrument like forceps is improperly handled. Cerebral palsy is also likely if labor lasts over 18 hours, especially in the case of multiple births like twins.

Each of these instances can be avoided, if the obstetrician or other medical professionals remain attentive and alert to the mother’s condition. According to the CDC, some clinical cerebral palsy symptoms include:

• Muscle Tone: Lack of muscle control results in movement difficulties including: sitting, walking, and using hands and fingers.
• Reflexes: Cerebral palsy patients have atypical abnormal reflex responses including asymmetrical or symmetrical tonic reflex, palmer grasp reflex, and spinal gallant reflexes. Infants with minor cases often grow out of this symptom within five months.
• Coordination and Control Problems: Infants with cerebral palsy often suffer from sparatic movements, and other muscle movements that leave the infant stressed and exhausted. Issues associated with this symptom include: spastic movements, walking with wide gait, and other awkward walking movements.
• Talking and other Oral Motor Issues: Cerebral palsy patients often have a lot of problems communicating because their facial muscles are often damaged.

Infants born with cerebral palsy often exhibit lack of muscle control, and should be prescribed treatment as soon as possible after birth.

Medical testing used to diagnosed cerebral palsy can be done through blood tests or diagnostic image testing, which can showcase the infant’s brain. In addition, cognitive assessments can also be done to determine if the child’s mobility or speech abilities are impaired.

Oftentimes medical specialists are recommended to the infant for care, in which early intervention is vital for a Life Care Plan. This is an itemized list of the needs the infant will need throughout their lives, in which a routine can be based around. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but some orthopedic surgeries may minimize movement issues.

Parents who believe their infant’s cerebral palsy caused by medical malpractice may be able to file legal action for damages. Potential claimants should contact a lawyer, to determine eligibility for a birth injury lawsuit.