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Cerebral
Palsy, also known as Little's disease
or static encephalopathy, are is really a
group of disorders that are marked by
varying levels of brain damage. It is
a chronic condition that affects the nerves
that regulate and control the body's muscles.
Those afflicted with Cerebral Palsy symptoms
inevitably face very difficult medical,
social and educational challenges.
The
four main categories of Cerebral Palsy
include Spastic, Athetoid, Ataxic, and
Mixed. Spastic Cerebral Palsy is the most
common form, occurring in roughly half
of all cases. With spastic Cerebral Palsy,
the muscles are in a constant state of
increased involuntary reflex. Although
the scientific community does not definitely
know what causes Cerebral Palsy, the risk
factors of the disorder are known. Contact
a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer here!
Cerebral Palsy Causes
Cerebral
Palsy can occur at three times: during
pregnancy, during the birthing process,
or after the birth occurs.
During
pregnancy:
Cerebral Palsy can be caused during a
pregnancy by drug use or by infections
such as German measles. As well, the disorder
can be related to high-blood pressure,
diabetes or thyroid problems. Complications
during a pregnancy, such as placental
problems, may also cause Cerebral Palsy.
Although
Cerebral Palsy is typically a congenital
malformation in the brain, physicians
are not always able to detect its presence
during pregnancy. While the appropriate
prenatal care helps to prevent congenital
problems, defects such as Cerebral Palsy
often occur even after a mother strictly
follows her physician's advice.
During
childbirth:
The birthing process is a challenge that,
more often than not, involves some sort
of complication. When a doctor fails to
make the correct choice to remedy these
complications, the possibility exists
that the outcome would be the development
of Cerebral Palsy, an actionable cause.
The
greatest risk during childbirth occurs
when a baby does not begin properly breathing
immediately after being born. This can
lead to severe asphyxia (a lack of oxygen
to the brain) and can cause brain injury
or brain hemorrhage and can lead to the
development of Cerebral Palsy. In fact,
nearly half of the infants who suffer
severe asphyxia during delivery develop
Cerebral Palsy. Premature infants who
do not cry within the first five minutes
of birth are at high risk of Cerebral
Palsy. As well, babies who experience
seizures, those that need to be placed
on a ventilator, and babies who undergo
internal brain damage (internal bleeding)
are at high risk. In general, low birth
weight babies are at an extremely high
risk.
Cerebral
Palsy can also occur if a baby becomes
stuck in the birth canal or if the placenta
is sheared too soon. Often, a doctor must
make an immediate decision in order to
prevent conditions that could lead to
Cerebral Palsy.
Other
problems during childbirth include anoxia
due to a mechanical respiratory obstruction,
the administering of analgesic drugs that
adversely affect the respiratory system,
trauma to the head during delivery, hemorrhaging,
improper or rough forceps application,
poor positioning of the infant, a breeched
delivery, severe pressure changes from
the baby being delivered too fast or too
slow, respiratory distress, and very low
birth weight. Contact
a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer here!
After
childbirth:
Unfortunately, once a child is born, the
risk of developing Cerebral Palsy does
not disappear. If a child experiences
a severe case of interrupted or improperly
functioning breathing, Cerebral Palsy
can develop. Other factors leading to
acquired Cerebral Palsy include:
Head
injury from a wound or fracture:
Infections of the nervous system (high
fevers, meningitis, encephalitis, and
brain abscess).
Vascular problems of the brain, including
thrombosis or hemorrhage.
Anoxia caused by strangulation, carbon
monoxide poisoning, smoke inhalation,
or a near drowning event. Neoplasms of
the brain such as cysts, tumors and hydrocephalus.
Shaken baby syndrome from excessive shaking.
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