What is Cerebral Palsy? Here’s What You Should Know
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While most people have heard the term cerebral palsy, many are confused about what it actually means. Some of this misunderstanding stems from the fact that cerebral palsy does not refer to one specific condition. Rather, it’s an umbrella term for a group of disorders relating to movement, balance and muscle tone. To complicate matters further, cerebral palsy affects different people in a variety of ways. Some children are mildly affected, while others are severely disabled and require lifelong care. And, if the condition was caused by a negligent physician, there may be grounds for a malpractice lawsuit. So what is cerebral palsy? And, what should you do if you believe cerebral palsy was caused by a medical mistake? Read the short guide below to answer these questions and many more you might have.
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy, or CP, is the most common childhood motor disability. As signified by the word “cerebral,” the condition starts in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement.
Most children show signs of cerebral palsy shortly after birth or within the first few years. Those with CP typically have difficulties with movement, abnormal posture and limbs that are either unusually floppy or rigid. In addition, people with cerebral palsy may have problems swallowing or trouble focusing due to eye muscle imbalance.
The symptoms of CP vary widely. Some people can walk with no visible impairment, some need assistive devices, and some are unable to walk at all. Sometimes CP includes cognitive impairment, while many people with CP have typical intellectual abilities.
What are the different types of cerebral palsy?
There are four main categories of cerebral palsy:
- Spastic cerebral palsy (stiff muscles): About 80% of people with CP have this type, which is characterized by tight muscles and spastic movements.
- Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (uncontrollable movements): Individuals with this type of CP have difficulty sitting and walking. Their movements vary from slow and writhing to rapid and jerky. Sometimes the muscles in the face and tongue are also affected.
- Ataxic cerebral palsy (poor balance and coordination): People with ataxic CP may walk unsteadily or have trouble with movements that require control, such as writing.
- Mixed cerebral palsy: This term describes people who have symptoms from more than one category of CP. The most common mixed type is spastic/dyskinetic.
What causes cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is caused when the developing brain is damaged, either before, during or after birth. When a child is born with cerebral palsy, which is the most common situation, it’s called “congenital” CP. Infants that are deprived of oxygen during labor and delivery could be born with cerebral palsy.
More rarely, some children develop CP later as a result of a brain infection such as meningitis or a serious head injury. This is called “acquired” CP.
Here are some of the risk factors associated with congenital cerebral palsy:
- Low birthweight, especially babies weighing less than 3.5 pounds
- Premature babies, particularly those born before 32 weeks
- Multiple births
- Births resulting from assisted reproductive technologies such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Infections during pregnancy
- Inadequate prenatal care, especially for high-risk mothers
- Birth complications that can disrupt the flow of oxygen to the baby’s brain
Can I sue for medical malpractice if my child has cerebral palsy?
Not all instances of cerebral palsy are caused by medical mistakes. However, when a child is born with CP because a doctor was negligent, you may be able to file a malpractice claim. Consulting a qualified medical malpractice lawyer is the first step toward receiving the compensation you and your family deserve.
Medical malpractice law is complicated, but finding the right lawyer is simple.
Call 1-800-MALPRACTICE today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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