Anesthesia and Cerebral Palsy

Usually anesthesia is defined as the loss of sensitivityanesthesia makes it difficult for the blood in the
to pain. In many cases, patients are given anesthesiapatient's lower body to flow properly through the
while undergoing medical procedures that are painful.body. The heart is unable to respond adequately to
This was there is little feeling if any at all. As good asthe changing needs of the body. Consequently, if the
that sounds, there are cases where it does moreanesthesia is not properly given, or if the doctor
harm than good.failed to monitor it, the infant could be born with
There are many different kinds of anesthesia usedcerebral palsy.
for procedures; it depends on the patient and whatMany infants go through periods of slow heart rate
type of procedure is being done. Frequently knownwhen the mother is given epidural anesthesia. Healthy
types of anesthesia are:infants are normally unaffected. Infants can be
- Local anesthesiaharmed if there is a difficult childbirth such as a
- Regional anesthesiacompromised position.
- Epidural/spinal anesthesiaCerebral Palsy Resulting from Anesthesia
- General anesthesia The epidural anesthesia is usedAn infant can develop cerebral palsy due to inefficient
during labor. This anesthetic is injected close to theamount oxygen given because of the effects of
spinal cord in the nerves connected to it. It blocksanesthesia. This is a condition that is not curable, it
the pain from the whole area of the body,affects the muscles, the brain and motor functions.
particularly the abdomen, hips and legs.The severity of the condition varies, but whatever
How Can Anesthesia Cause Cerebral Palsy?degree of cerebral palsy someone has, it is life
Even though researchers and doctors do not knowchanging. Treatments are given to those to help
the exact cause of how anesthesia causes cerebralcope with the condition.
palsy, they know it happens. They know the fetalIf you know someone who has cerebral palsy
heart rate drops too low; it cannot properly flow tobecause of an error with the anesthesia, contact a
the uterus to deliver oxygen to the body.medical attorney to learn more about your legal
To repeat what was said above, the epiduraloptions.