The causes of cerebral palsy (CP) are not fully understood however medical science does know that when damage is done to a developing fetus or newborns brain can result in CP. It is important to be aware of some risk factors regarding cerebral palsy such as:

Maternal Infections

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

*Infections of the urinary tract

*Bladder and kidney infections

*Rubella

*Inflammation of the fetal membranes (amnion and chorion) due to a bacterial infection

*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

Another risk you should be aware of is an infection during prenatal/neonatal care (before and after) the birth of a baby:

*Severe meningitis - usually bacterial

*Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) due to virus

*Group B streptococcal infection

*Herpes group B

*Systemic inflammatory response syndrome dur to infection

*Incompatible Rh factors between Mother and Baby

*Infant jaundice that is severe

It is difficult to know precisely how these complications result in cerebral palsy. There are facts that prove that prenatal infections can lead to early labor and delivery. More evidence show that infections prompt brain damage which essentially may result in cerebral palsy.

Premature Birth or Low Birth Weight

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

Premature infants are more defenseless than babies of regular term and they will most likely experience more complications with their health and have to be hospitalized.

Some factors that will put your baby at risk to premature birth/low birth weight are: smoking; drug/alcohol use; stress; abnormal cervix; having twins or triplets prior to current pregnancy.

Medical Malpractice and Birth Injuries

It is a fact that not every case of cerebral palsy is inherited. Many people do not realize that many cases of cerebral palsy could have been prevented. Incidences have proven that brain damage during labor and delivery because neglect of a medical staff resulted in cerebral palsy.

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.

These medical errors are usually unintentional but what families go through for the rest of their childs life is devastating. The costs of treatments are financially draining and families have the right to recover some of the losses. There are laws to protect families of a child with cerebral palsy. Contact a cerebral palsy attorney because they can advise you of your legal options and what is best for your child.

Contact 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.

If you need more information on cerebral palsy causes discover the articles and news available on the Cerebral Palsy Law Blog.

Cerebral palsy as no specific cause and there is no cure. There are, however, treatment options that are provided within the medical field. Cerebral palsy treatment options are chosen based on the specific characteristics and needs of the individual with cerebral palsy.

Treatment can help a child improve muscle control and movement. Other treatments focus on problems with vision or hearing. They may also assist when seizures are a problem. A team of medical professionals will consider the child's needs and create a suitable plan. Tests are run and observations made to help in the determination of what will be in the best interest of the child. Treatment options available are:

Physical therapy - Exercising the muscles require having physical therapy. Physical therapy helps give some motor control. Sometimes devices are used such as braces or casts to strengthen muscles.

Speech therapy - It is sometimes difficult for patients with cerebral palsy to communicate. With speech therapy, the treatments allow them to communicate with other means.

Occupational therapy - Children can use this treatment to help you with the everyday chores such as eating or dressing.

Medication - Medications are often used to minimize muscle spasms and tremors in patients with cerebral palsy. For example, Botox is an injectable medication commonly used to relax muscles and control muscle spasticity. Other drug therapies may help treat complications associated with cerebral palsy, such as seizures.

Surgery - At times surgery is another option for families that have children with cerebral palsy. This treatment can help stabilize joints, and improve tone of their muscle.

Hearing aids, eyeglasses - These cerebral palsy treatments can help children who have hearing or vision impairments related to their condition.

Assistive technologies - New technologies are always being developed to help individuals with disabilities. Assistive technologies such as specialized wheelchairs, customized scooters, and communication devices can aid cerebral palsy children in their daily lives and with tasks they may not otherwise be able to perform.

Other CP treatments - Other cerebral palsy treatments include dolphin therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). These assist patients throughout their years.

Clinical trials - Medical professional will conduct clinical trials to be able to try to develop new treatments for children with cerebral palsy.

The Cost of Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition and treatments over the course of an individuals life may total more than $500,000. Insurance may not cover all cerebral palsy treatment costs, and for those who are uninsured, the financial burden is all the more overwhelming.

Affecting the upper and lower parts of a persons body is called spastic diplegia. Spastic diplegia is a type of spastic cerebral palsy and at times is called Littles Disease. Spastic diplegia is similar to other types of cerebral palsy in that damage is caused to the brain. Many times what caused the damage to the brain is unknown.

Yet there are circumstances in which spastic diplegia is obtained after birth because of medical malpractice during the labor and delivery. Some known causes of spastic diplegia is lack of oxygen is a known cause, infections to the baby or the mother that could have been prevented or other brain injuries like hematoma that happen during a complicated labor.

Families of a child that has spastic diplegia can talk to a lawyer and take action to be compensated for medical costs when their childs condition is caused by medical malpractice. Have your case looked at by a professional lawyer who deals with cerebral palsy cases right away.

The Different Symptoms of Spastic Diplegia

There are different symptoms of spastic diplegia that vary with each child and depend on how severe the condition is. However there are some common characteristics of spastic diplegia, such as their muscle tone is tight because of this their muscles are contracted permanently. This is called hypertonia and it not only affects the limbs of the upper part of the body it also affects the legs.

Living with spastic diplegia can be difficult. Some of the symptoms may be:

*Uncontrollable muscle spasms

*Joints dont have much range of motion

*Speaking and walking are difficult

*Tightness of the muscles

*Delayed development

If your child shows any signs of spastic diplegia you need to have your child be seen by a physician immediately. The physician will diagnose your child using common tests given such as MRI, CT scans, EEG or other tests.

Treatment Options for Spastic Diplegia

Because there is no cure for spastic diplegia there are many treatments patients go through. Some common treatments include physical therapy to help keep muscles flexible; medications such as Botox, to decrease muscle spasticity; surgery to control muscle spasticity; technology that helps individuals in mobility such as wheelchairs. These treatments not only help with spastic cerebral palsy, they help with the other types of spastic cerebral palsy such as spastic hemiplegia, spastic quadriplegia, and others

Factors the May Lead to Spastic Diplegia

It is possible you have a legal claim if there was medical malpractice or neglect that contributed to the condition of your child. Not every spastic diplegia case is allowed compensation but if your child suffered from some of the following you may want to contact a lawyer.

Factors that may contribute to a child developing this disability:

*Had baby by C-section or had the help of forceps

*Severe jaundice in the infant

*The newborn had seizures right after birth

*Hospital infection

Contact a lawyer that has experience in these kinds of cases, they will evaluate your case and help you get what you deserve. There are time limitations that vary state by state, so dont delay and call a lawyer today.