Houston Cerebral Palsy Attorney
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition where the baby’s ability to control movement is impaired. It results from faulty development of or damage to the “motor” areas of the brain.
What are the Causes of Cerebral Palsy?
Congenital cerebral palsy results from brain injury during a baby’s development in the womb. Congenital cerebral palsy is present at birth, although it may not be detected immediately after birth. Congenital cerebral palsy is responsible for CP in about 70% of the children who have it. An additional 20% of babies are diagnosed with congenital cerebral palsy due to a brain injury during delivery. Some possible causes are:
- Infections during pregnancy can damage the baby’s developing nervous system including:
- Rubella (German measles),
- a herpes-type virus,
- toxoplasmosis (an infection caused by a parasite that can be carried in cat feces or inadequately cooked meat), and
- other infections that may go undetected.
- Severe Jaundice – Jaundice is caused by excessive bilirubin in the baby’s blood. Bilirubin is filtered out by the liver. Sometimes a newborns’ liver needs a few days to start filtering the bilirubin allowing the bilirubin to build up resulting in jaundice. Severe, untreated jaundice can damage brain cells.
- Rh incompatibility – Rh incompatibility between mother and infant. In this blood condition, the mother’s body produces antibodies that destroy the baby’s blood cells. This leads to a form of that may cause brain damage.
- Birth trauma – trauma during labor & delivery can cause infant brain damage.
- Head trauma during birth.
- Oxygen deprivation during labor & delivery
These potential causes highlight the need for good prenatal care as infections and Rh incompatibility are conditions that are tested for and treated as part of regular prenatal care.
Risk Factors for Developing CP
Some risk factors that increase the chance that a child will be diagnosed with CP include:
- Breech births
- Infant respiratory problems during birth
- Low Apgar score 10
- Low birth weight or being born prematurely
- Twin or multiple births
- Seizures shortly after birth.
Mothers who thyroid disease, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, mental retardation, seizures, or increased protein in their urine late in their pregnancy have a higher risk of having a baby with CP.
Other Brain Injuries may Accompany Cerebral Palsy
Between 35% and 50% of all children with cerebral palsy will also experience:
- Seizures
- Cognitive impairment
- Behavioral problems
- Hearing deficits
- Vision problems
- Speech difficulties
There is no cure for CP. The damage to the brain is permanent. The child and their family will learn to cope with the child’s disabilities.
Get help from a Houston Cerebral Palsy Attorney
Chelsie King Garza is here to assist families whose children who suffer from cerebral palsy caused by birth trauma. Contact Chelsie King Garza today to protect your rights and the rights of your child.
