Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella-like term used to describe a group of chronic disorders impairing control of movement that appear in the first few years of life and generally do not worsen over time. The disorders are caused by faulty development of or damage to motor areas in the brain that disrupts the brain's ability to control movement and posture.

Symptoms of cerebral palsy include difficulty with fine motor tasks (such as writing or using scissors), difficulty maintaining balance or walking, tonal problems, abnormal sensation and perception, impairment of sight, hearing or speech, and involuntary movements.

The symptoms differ from person to person and may change over time. Some people with cerebral palsy are also affected by other medical disorders, including seizures or mental impairment, but cerebral palsy does not always cause profound handicap.

There are three main types of cerebral palsy:

• Spastic: Stiff and difficult movement.
• Athetoid: Involuntary and uncontrolled movement.
• Ataxic: Disturbed sense of balance and depth perception.

There may be a combination of these types for any one individual. Other types do occur, although infrequently. Cerebral palsy may be congenital, caused by injury during labor and delivery or acquired after birth. Both ataxic and athetoid cerebral palsy may occur as a result of a basal ganglia damage - basal ganglia infarct, basal ganglia stroke, basal ganglia hemorrhage, basal ganglia lacunar infarct, or any other kind of basal ganglia disease, basal ganglia disorder, basal ganglia degeneration or basal ganglia damage.

Early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before 3 years of age. Infants with cerebral palsy are frequently slow to reach developmental milestones such as learning to roll over, sit, crawl, smile, or walk.

Cerebral Palsy Causes

There Are Numerous Causes Of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy can either be present before birth, can occur during the delivery process, or can even develop up to several years after a child is born. The disorder is most commonly diagnosed when a child is between four months and 2 years old. Occasionally, it does not appear until later in a child's development. In rare cases, Cerebral Palsy is acquired at an adult age due to an unforeseen accident that affects the brain and control of body movement.

Prenatal Cerebral Palsy Causes

• Anoxia (typically from the umbilical cord)
• Infections (most commonly rubella and herpes simplex)
• Metabolic disorder (diabetes, a heart condition, hyperthyroidism, severe asthma)
• RH Factor: RH sensitization, abdominal injury, poor prenatal care

Perinatal Cerebral Palsy Causes

• Anoxia (typically from the umbilical cord)
• Head trauma (labor/delivery, hemorrhage, forceps application, poor position of the infant, breech delivery)
• Asphyxia (mechanical respiratory obstruction)
• Birthing complications Pressure changes (delivered too fast or too slow)
• Analgesics (the administering of drugs that affects the respiratory system)
• Respiratory distress
• Premature birth
• Dangerously low weight at birth

Developmental Cerebral Palsy Causes

• Macrocephaly
• Micocephaly

Acquired Cerebral Palsy Causes

• Anoxia (carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke inhalation, strangulation and near drowning)
• Neoplasams of the brain (tumors, cysts, and hydrocephalus)
• Infections (high fevers, meningitis, encephalitis, or brain abscesses)
• Head traumas (wounds, severe concussions, or fractures)
• Vascular problems of the brain (thrombosis or hemorrhage)

If your child suffers from Cerebral Palsy, and you feel that it is a result of medical negligence please contact The Law Offices of Anthony Mancini, Ltd.. We have over 18years experience handling cerebral palsy cases. Do not delay. Contact our office immediately, as delay can negatively impact your case.