What is Cerebral Palsy?

 

Cerebral palsy is defined as an array of symptoms that involve movement disability that are non-progressive and are not caused by a precise disease. It is a medical syndrome rather than a well-defined disorder because it has a multitude of variable symptoms and may develop due to different causes. Whatever the type and the intensity of symptoms, cerebral palsy is caused by damage to motor centers, which are brain centers responsible for movement, and this damage can occur during pregnancy, during childbirth or in children up to three years old. If paralysis or a movement disability occurs after this age and is related to a certain disease, then it is not cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy occurs in small children because of some unfortunate event that took place during pregnancy, childbirth or their initial growth stages, and causes brain impairment that translates into movement disabilities. Symptoms include spasticity and contractures, which means that the muscles are abnormally tight and fixed, and involuntary movements, such as facial expressions, balance impairment, abnormal posture, decreased muscle mass and a limited range of movements. Secondary symptoms associated with cerebral palsy in children include seizures, speech impairment, learning disabilities, urinary and fecal incontinence, behavioral problems and mental retardation.

Cerebral palsy is frequently caused by a medical mistake or failure to take action when necessary during or after a problematic pregnancy. The most commonly encountered cause of this severe medical disorder is asphyxia or hypoxia during pregnancy or birth, which means that the child's brain was not getting enough oxygen. Birth trauma, sometimes due to medical negligence or imprudence, is also a frequent cause of cerebral palsy symptoms in children. DWI/DUI. Untreated infections, radiation and toxic substances exposure may also lead to cerebral palsy development. While many of these risk factors are difficult to recognize and manage, several of them are easily identifiable by medical professionals if careful examination and preventive measures are performed during pregnancy or after childbirth.

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy symptoms and you have reason to believe that it is caused by a medical error or failure to take action during pregnancy or after birth, then you should consider getting advice from a professional New York City medical malpractice attorney. Don't hesitate to call us, and find out how a medical malpractice legal expert can help your case.