Cerebral Palsy – What are the Risk Factors
Brain damage that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth is the primary cause of cerebral palsy, a group of neurological disorders that mainly affect movement. The causes of brain damage during fetal development are largely unknown, and the condition is not always preventable. Medical specialists singled out a variety of factors that put a child at a higher risk of developing cerebral palsy.
Some of the known cerebral palsy risk factors include:
Premature birth – 40 weeks gestation is considered full-term, and preterm is generally considered 37 weeks gestation or earlier. The earlier the baby is born, the greater the risk of cerebral palsy.
Low birth weight – Babies with a birth weight of less than 5.5 pounds have a greater chance of developing cerebral palsy. When the weight is lower, the risk is greater.
Multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.) – Women who are carrying more than one baby are at a greater risk of delivering preterm, and their babies are more likely to have low birth rates. Both of these are risk factors for cerebral palsy.
Jaundice– When severe jaundice is left untreated, it can lead to a condition called kernicterus and this is a direct cause of cerebral palsy.
Breech presentation – Babies who are in breech (feet first) position at the time of labor face a heightened risk of developing cerebral palsy.
Exposure to toxins – Cerebral palsy is a risk to babies who are exposed to toxins while still in the womb.
Maternal health – Certain conditions, including mental retardation, hyperthyroidism and seizures, in the mother can increase the risk of cerebral palsy in an unborn child.
Pregnancy complications – Late-term bleeding, excess protein in the urine, infections and other complications during pregnancy can increase the likelihood that a child will develop cerebral palsy.
Difficult labor – Problems that arise during labor and delivery, such as fetal distress, can increase the risk of cerebral palsy if not handled properly. Factors that can increase the risk are C-sections, vacuum extraction and the use of forceps.
Did Your Child Get Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy?
Why your child developed cerebral palsy is something you would want to know but the answers are not always apparent. In many cases, cerebral palsy is not preventable. Nevertheless, in many cases, it is 100% preventable.
A parent never wants to learn that their child has cerebral palsy due to medical negligence. For parent who have to face this matter, legal options are available to them. Victims of medical malpractice and their families may file a lawsuit to hold the doctor(s) or other negligent party(s) accountable for the losses they’ve endured – losses such as pain and suffering, lifetime medical costs, loss of earning capacity, etc.
Our law firm is representing families who have suffered damages by medical negligence. Contact us for a free evaluation, if you think that medical malpractice is to blame for your child’s cerebral palsy.
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