Brain damage causes cerebral palsy, a group of disorders, that include movement impairment. Cases of cerebral palsy may be mild to severe and one or two infants out of every 1000 born in the United States has cerebral palsy.
Doctors do not fully understand how cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage. It is known, though, that cerebral palsy is caused by damage sustained during these times:
*During the development of the fetus
*While in the process of childbirth
*The months following birth
There are factors that have been found, by research, to boost the risk of cerebral palsy. Some of these factors are avoidable.
Types of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy manifests in the following primary types:
Spastic Cerebral Palsy - Muscle stiffness characterizes this most common type of cerebral palsy. Both legs can be affect or one side of the body or the upper body and all four limbs.
Athetoid Cerebral Palsy - In about 20% of the individuals cerebral palsy shows up inthis form. It affects the entire body and is characterized by slow uncontrollable movements.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy - The is a less common cerebral palsy type that shows up as steadiness and coordination being impaired.
Mixed Cerebral Palsy - When an individual shows two or more symptoms of the other types of cerebral palsy, it is this form of cerebral palsy.
Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
The severity of cerebral palsy depends on such things as the following symptoms:
*Tremors
*Muscle control is difficult
*Spasticity - muscle stiffness and exaggerated reflexes
*Muscles stiffness
*Leg or foot drags, walks unevenly
*Hard time swallowing
The severity of the child's condition determines the variety of symptoms they display. Mental retardation and other complications may accompany cerebral palsy in certain cases.
There is also assistive equipment for children with severe cases. In less severe cases of cerebral palsy, assistive equipment is not used as much.
Cerebral Palsy Causes and Risk Factors
Cerebral palsy has some known causes and risk factors and these consist of:
*Premature babies or those with low birth weight
*Infections in mother and/or fetus
*Not enough oxygen
*Brain develops abnormally
*Jaundice that is severe
*Birth injury
Some incidences of cerebral palsy could have been prevented. In these cases medical negligence often plays a part in that had proper precautions been followed the injury could have been prevented. Speak to a medical attorney if you believe that your child's cerebral palsy is the result of medical negligence.
Diagnosing and Treating Cerebral Palsy
If a child shows any symptoms, they should be taken in for a medical evaluation. A doctor will check the tone of their muscles, reflexes and movement. This is usually followed up with a series of tests like MRIs, CT scans and other related tests.
If cerebral palsy is the diagnosis, a specialist will be assigned to the child to figure out their treatment options. Because cerebral palsy is not curable, treatments are given to help manage the condition. The quality of a child's life will be improved with these treatments.
These treatments are some of the most commonly used:
Specific therapies for physical, speech or occupational issues
*Surgical processes
*Medications
Technologies to assist children are also used, such as:
*Hand Rails
*Wheelchairs
*Orthopedic braces
*Splints
*Visual and hearing aids for help in communication
Dolphin and spacesuit therapies are hopeful options in treating cerebral palsy that have developed from ongoing research.
Speak with a medical malpractice attorney to find out your legal options if negligence is to blame of your child's cerebral palsy.
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