Cerebral Palsy: Developmental Disability

Summary

This article discusses cerebral palsy as a developmental disability. This article lists the possible risk factors that may increase your child's chances of being diagnosed with cerebral palsy, as well as the possible medical mistakes that can cause cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy: Developmental Disability

According to emedicinehealth.com, Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term for a group of disorders affecting body movement, balance, and posture. Cerebral palsy is considered a developmental disorder that appears in infancy and early childhood. Although it primarily affects muscle movement, it is not caused by problems in nerves and muscles. It is caused by abnormalities in the part of the brain that controls muscle movements. In some cases cerebral palsy can be the result of a birth injury and can even be the fault of a medical practitioner or nursing staff. Approximately two percent of children in the United States have cerebral palsy and need special education and care as a result. There have been many cases in the Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale and Phoenix area where a doctor or medical staff was responsible for a child being diagnosed with cerebral palsy. If you suspect that your loved one's cerebral palsy was the result of another person's negligence, contacting an Arizona personal injury lawyer is your best option for pursuing compensation for your loved one's injuries.

There are many risk factors that can increase the risk of your loved one becoming diagnosed with cerebral palsy. These risk factors can not only be associated with the child but also the parent. The presence of a risk factor does not always mean that cerebral palsy is going to occur, but it is important for you and your health care professional to be aware of these factors. Some of the risk factors include:

Risk Factors

• Mother 40 years or older
• Mother 20 years or older
• Low Birth Weight, 3.5 pounds.
• Premature infant, less than 37 weeks.
• Lack of oxygen before, after and during the birth process
• Infection, seizure disorder, thyroid disorder, and or other medical problems in the mother.
• Complications during labor and delivery
• Severe jaundice after birth

Parents put all their trust into their physicians during the birthing process. When a mistake is made that costs your child to be diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the emotional turmoil it causes can be devastating. The types of mistakes that have been known to contribute to causing cerebral palsy vary. Some examples of theses reckless medical mistakes include:

Possible Medical Mistakes

• Not responding to the changes in fetal heart rate
• Excessive use of vacuum extraction
• Failure to respond to a mothers changing condition such as blood pressure, or toxemia.
• Failure to perform a C-Section in the presence of fetal distress.
• Improper use of forceps.

Contact an Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer

When your loved one is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it may be difficult to know the right course of action to take. Your life can be changed forever with the constant care and attention someone with cerebral palsy needs. If you suspect that medical malpractice was a contributor to your child's diagnosis with cerebral palsy, contact an Arizona personal injury attorney so they can bring these individuals to justice. For more information: www.solomonrelihan.com