Philadelphia Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury Information
Provided by the Philadelphia Cerebral Palsy Law Firm of Messa & Associates, serving clients through Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Cerebral palsy is not a disease. It is considered
an all-inclusive term that describes several chronic conditions
which affect body movement and muscle coordination. "Cerebral"
refers to the brain and "palsy" to muscle weakness poor
control. The brain is unable to control movement and posture because
of the impaired development or damage caused to the motor areas in
the brain.
Damage to one or more parts of the brain controlling movement usually
occurs during fetal development; before, during, or shortly after
the infants’ birth; or during infancy. Common environmental
factors attributed to cerebral palsy are any incidents that can severely
jar the brain such as child abuse, motor vehicle accidents, or falls;
infections like bacterial meningitis are also examples of diseases
that can severely damage the brain. Our Philadelphia cerebral palsy attorneys can further explain additional factors and causes of your child's cerebral palsy.
Many of the causes for cerebral palsy during pregnancy or delivery
can be prevented by a health care provider. Some of the most common
factors that occur during this time are:
- Infections during pregnancy - A infection
of the mother’s placental membrane or urinary tract infections
are two common risk factors for cerebral palsy. If cerebral palsy
is developed, a medical professional can be held liable if they
have failed to adequately diagnose and treat these infections
- Oxygen Deprivation – If a placenta is
not functioning properly or it has torn away from the uterus wall
before the time of delivery delivery, the fetus may suffer from
oxygen deficiency. Oxygen deprivation can also occur during a
cesarean section, excessive use of vacuum extraction, delayed
delivery, or failure to read a baby's vital signs. All of these
events can be contributing factors to cerebral palsy. To help
prevent cerebral palsy, it is important for a medical professional
to closely monitor the fetus’ development before and during
delivery.
- RH negative Blood disease – If a mother's
blood is incompatible with her fetus, this can result in severe
jaundice and brain damage. The risk of cerebral palsy can be lowered
by treating an RH-negative woman with a blood product known as
RH immune globulin.
- Severe Jaundice - Jaundice causes a yellowing
of the skin and eyes as a result of too much bilirubin in the
blood. Severe jaundice leads can lead to brain damage which can
causes cerebral palsy. It is important that a medical professional
screen and test infants for severe jaundice. If a newborn is diagnosed,
proper treatment should be administered to help prevent the condition
from developing and causing brain damage.
Unfortunately there is no cure for cerebral palsy, but there are a
variety of treatments which can help your child grow and lead a healthy
life. Our Philadelphia cerebral palsy attorneys at Messa and Associates understand the importance
of your child’s well being. We can also help you determine if
the cause of your child’s cerebral palsy was a result of medical
malpractice. Our Philadelphia cerebral palsy lawyers can offer their experience
in cerebral
palsy litigation. Contact our office so we can evaluate your case
during a free consultation. Our attorneys will help determine if medical
errors were the primary factor to the onset of your child’s
cerebral palsy.
If your loved one was injured as a result of a birth injury and you need legal advice, contact a Philadelphia cerebral palsy lawyer at our law firm today for a free consultation.
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