Available data shows that an estimated 764,000 children and adults in the U.S. have cerebral palsy (CP). And that number will likely continue to climb as the same report shows that more than 10,000 babies are born each year with the disease.
While there are still many aspects of the disease that are not understood, there is a growing body of scientific literature exploring cerebral palsy. The medical and scientific communities have identified injuries that can potentially cause cerebral palsy. They also have a pretty good understanding of why the disease begins in childhood and follows individuals into their adult life.
Injuries That Can Increase the Likelihood of Developing Cerebral Palsy
When it comes to cerebral palsy, there is more than one type that can wreak havoc on the body. The three variations of this life-altering disease include:
- Spastic cerebral palsy, which makes up 77% of cases in the U.S.
- Dyskinetic cerebral palsy accounts for 5% of all U.S. cases.
- Ataxic cerebral palsy makes up 3% of cases.
Most of these cerebral palsy cases were a byproduct of brain injuries that occurred during labor and delivery. Factors that contributed to these injuries and the eventual development of cerebral palsy include the following:
- Breech births
- Premature births
- An insufficient amount of nutrients being passed from the mother to her unborn baby via the placenta
- The use of vacuum extractors or forceps during delivery
Brain injuries, irrespective of what causes them, can open the door to gene mutations, infections, fetal stroke, and hypoxia, all of which increase the risk of CP in infants.
If you believe that your child may suffer from cerebral palsy, contact a Colorado cerebral palsy attorney. A lawyer can review your case and help you plan the next steps in your pursuit of compensation.
Additional Factors That Can Lead to the Development of Cerebral Palsy
Along with brain injuries, race, ethnicity, and gender can dictate how likely a baby is to be born with CP or develop it later in life. Studies show that 4 out of every 1,000 boys are born with CP compared to roughly 3 out of every 1,000 girls. The same studies also note that black children have the highest cerebral palsy rates compared to Caucasian, Hispanic, and Asian children.
In addition to brain injuries, race, ethnicity, and gender, complications during a woman’s pregnancy can result in her newborn developing cerebral palsy. Some of these complications include the following:
- Bacterial infections
- Viral infections
- Maternal blood clotting and thyroid problems
- Rubella
- Vaginal bleeding late in pregnancy
- Exposure to toxins
These pregnancy complications are known to jeopardize the health of an expecting mother and put unborn babies at risk of developing cerebral palsy. Doctors are responsible for identifying complications in a timely manner and addressing these, if possible. Failing to do so may be considered medical malpractice.
Cerebral Palsy in Adulthood
Studies show that the neurological injury resulting from cerebral palsy in childhood does not improve when individuals enter adulthood. Along with the balance and posture problems patients had to contend with when they were children, many adults with CP suffer from vision, hearing, and respiratory problems resulting from the progression of the disease.
For many living with cerebral palsy, pain is also a factor. According to an article published by the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, an estimated 75% of adults with cerebral palsy struggle with musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, dental, and other kinds of pain.
Seek Legal Help
Many things can contribute to and ultimately cause cerebral palsy, and in most cases, those things are beyond our ability to control. Sometimes, however, cerebral palsy is caused by the careless errors of one or more healthcare professionals.
If you believe that you or your child developed this disease due to medical negligence, you’re encouraged to schedule a consultation with a Colorado cerebral palsy attorney today.
About the author:
With a law degree under his belt, Mark Scott understood very early that law communication was a relatively neglected area. He decided to help people by “translating” the language and offering information and advice in a clear, useful, and actionable manner. For this reason, instead of finding him in court, you will most likely find his name online, where he is very active and thriving as a legal columnist. His part of making the world a better place is to make the law a less convoluted maze. He aims to make it easier for people to understand when and how to seek legal counsel, how to proceed in a significant number of legal matters, and to find the proper resources so they can stand up for their rights.
