Cerebral palsy affects 1 in every 303 children, making it the most common childhood motor disability in America. A group of disorders rather than a specific condition, cerebral palsy refers to a range of developmental disabilities related to the area of the brain responsible for movement, balance and posture.
Cerebral palsy symptoms generally become apparent during the first three years of life, and include slow development in terms of walking and talking, muscle control and favoring one side of the body over the other. It may be caused by infection during pregnancy, lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain during pregnancy or delivery, premature birth, and hemorrhaging. Some of these causes may result from medical malpractice during the labor process, while others are purely genetic.
There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but a variety of treatments and therapies are available to help sufferers maximize their abilities and quality of life. The brain injury at the root of the problem does not get worse over the course of a life, but new cerebral palsy symptoms can appear or worsen as a child grows and develops. The treatment required varies from person to person.
Short-term treatment for cerebral palsy symptoms
If a child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy after complications during delivery or pregnancy, there are a number of important treatments that should be provided. Depending on the diagnosis, physical therapy can help a child become mobile and prevent the need for surgery.
Medication can help control some cerebral palsy symptoms and prevent future complications. Antispasmodics can be injected to relax tight muscles and improve range of movement, while anticholinergics can help manage drooling and uncontrollable motion. Anticonvulsants may be used to treat seizures, another common symptom.
In some severe cases, surgery is the only recourse. Surgery may be performed on muscles, tendons, joints and nerves, especially if there is contracture, a condition whereby normally-stretchy skin tissue is inelastic and fiber-like. Contractures can cause severe pain for cerebral palsy sufferers.
Long-term treatment and prognosis
Because of the way cerebral palsy symptoms can change over time, ongoing treatment is usually a case of monitoring and adjusting treatment as necessary. This means regular visits to specialists, developmental testing and blood tests to monitor the effects of medicine on the body. Some individuals require braces, casts or splints to help control their movement.
Problems such as intellectual incapacity, speech impediments, vision and hearing problems and seizures may develop as the brain and nervous system grows.
When birth injuries are caused by medical negligence
If your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by negligence during pregnancy or delivery, your family may be entitled to monetary compensation through a lawsuit. Successful litigation that results in a settlement or jury award can help fund the costs of treatments, equipment, medication, and other needs of caring for a child with disabilities. Understandably, these costs are significant over the course of a childhood, and beyond into adulthood.
If healthcare providers have failed in their duty to give a proper standard of care, medical malpractice attorneys can help you establish liability. At Balkin & Eisbrouch, our legal team is dedicated to helping innocent victims of medical malpractice seek justice. Contact our law offices today for a free consultation.
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