Cerebral Palsy Causes and Medical Malpractice
Cerebral palsy stands for cerebral, the brain and palsy, the paralysis. It is a vague term with one or all symptoms involving the brain, the motor system, speech and IQ or developmental disorders. Most cerebral palsy conditions are caused by a brain injury that occurred during pregnancy or birth (congenital), genetics or after birth. An experience pediatric neurologist investigates the causes with neuroradiologist, Neuropsychologist. At times a placental pathologist, geneticist is necessary as well as a pediatric infection disease expert in the months/years following birth (Acquired CP). Cerebral Palsy disorders are caused
Ten to fifteen percent of cerebral palsy cases are caused by a recognized brain injury, such as infection (e.g., meningitis), bleeding into the brain, and damage caused by lack of oxygen. Some of the errors made by healthcare professionals during delivery can result in a cerebral palsy condition.
- The failure to recognize and treat seizures following delivery;
- Failure to perform a C-Section in a timely manner;
- Excessive use or force with a vacuum extractor;
- Failure to detect a prolapsed umbilical cord reducing oxygen supply;
- Improper use of delivery forceps;
- Hospital staff may not properly read or respond to the babies vital signs;
- Failure to have a neonatal team present at deliver or delay
- Failure to declare fetal distress and monitor properly
- Failure to diagnose and treat jaundice or meningitis (brain infections due to bacteria);
The following incidents may justify further investigation, or indicate a medical malpractice claim:
- The use of resuscitation (CPR) and oxygen after birth; Low APGAR scores and acidosis;
- Low Apgar score - infant heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color are each scored as 0 (low), 1 (intermediate), or 2 (normal) after delivery. A total score of 7-10 at 5 minutes is considered normal; 4-6, intermediate; and 0-3, low. Scores that remain low 10-20 minutes after delivery indicate increased risk for CP.
- Excessive force on fetal head (Fundal pressure) or pulling or pressure on fetal head;
- Emergency delivery with forceps, Vacuum Extractor or by C-section;
- Ruptured uterus
- Lack of oxygen to the fetus (hypoxia or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy)
- Special testing after birth, such as an MRI scan, CT brain scan;
- A specialist may not have been consulted when necessary;
While most doctors, nurses, midwives, and hospital technicians provide a high standard of care for their patients, unfortunately, many families are harmed by medical mistakes, errors, neglect or negligence. Parents of a child suffering with cerebral palsy should contact an experienced cerebral palsy lawyer to research the cause of their child's condition. Medical mistakes are responsible for many birth injury cases and it would be impossible for a parent, alone, to determine if medical malpractice caused their child's injury. Make sure the records are correct and have not been removed or altered. Question the doctor and staff as to the causes and insure that the truth is being told. Get copies all records immediately is you suspect negligence or neglect. It is only through the dedicated and thorough efforts of a legal and medical team that the cause can be ascertained.
A variety of conditions can lead to brain injury, including:
- Genetic conditions and problems with the blood supply to the brain can affect how the child's brain develops during the first 6 months of pregnancy. Malformations of brain.
- Oxygen shortage - if the oxygen supply to the brain is severely low at the time of birth, the infant may suffer a type of brain damage called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
- Rh incompatibility - a blood condition that causes the mother's immune cells to attack the fetus, resulting in jaundice.
- Severe Jaundice in the child during the first weeks following birth.
- Exposure in pregnancy to certain infections including rubella, toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus that involve the brain.
- Prematurity
Acquired cerebral palsy results from brain damage in the first few months to years of life and can be caused by conditions such as:
- Brain infections - encephalitis, meningitis
- Head injury - falls, automobile accidents, child abuse
Parents of a child suffering with cerebral palsy should contact the law firm of Gerald I. Sugarman, MD JD to research the cause of their child's condition. Litigation may be the only way to receive compensation to which you may be entitled. Such compensation will likely Rehabilitation, educational therapy, Physical and occupational therapy, medication and medical bills.
