| Cerebral Palsy is a term given to a condition that | | | | risks of cerebral-palsy to a great extent. Babies who |
| results from a brain injury; or an abnormality that | | | | are born before the expected time are highly |
| might have occurred during the foetal development, | | | | vulnerable and it is more likely that they suffer |
| or at the time of birth. At times, this might occur | | | | through various health complications. Stress, |
| within the initial months of the life of the infant or | | | | infections, preterm labour and multiple births; smoking |
| immediately after birth. | | | | and alcohol usage; and uterine infections may also |
| Even though medical science has advanced to a very | | | | contribute to the occurrence of cerebral-palsy. |
| high level, doctors have yet not fully understood the | | | | Cerebral palsy may also occur due to the failure of |
| causes of early brain damage. However, some of the | | | | the medical staff in preventing a birth injury. This |
| identified causes of cerebral palsy are listed below: | | | | includes the misdiagnosis and maltreatment of |
| The maternal infections tend to increase the risks of | | | | maternal infections; the failure of recognition of foetal |
| cerebral palsy to a great extent and this may also | | | | distress; not being able to perform a C-section in an |
| include the urinary tract infections, bladder or kidney | | | | organized and timely manner; not treating jaundice |
| infections, and rubella, sepsis i.e. an infection of the | | | | and not ensuring sufficient oxygen supply. It also |
| blood stream, uterus infection and toxoplasmosis. It is | | | | includes the failure of proper use of medical |
| believed that all maternal infections can be prevented | | | | equipments like forceps. |
| and dealt with, so as to avoid the occurrence of | | | | Medical malpractice can be highly devastating as it |
| cerebral palsy. Hence, all pregnant women are advised | | | | might be a probable cause of cerebral palsy; |
| to seek medical treatment from their gynaecologist | | | | therefore, it is advised to file a lawsuit, so as to be |
| to avoid such risks. | | | | able to acquire compensation for the treatment |
| Prenatal or neonatal infections too have the potential | | | | costs and other losses as well. |
| to augment the risk of cerebral-palsy. These are | | | | Lastly, if you had a complicated labour and your |
| inclusive of bacterial meningitis, viral encephalitis, | | | | newborn infant is found to be suffering from cerebral |
| Group B streptococcal infection, Herpes Group B and | | | | palsy, you are suggested to file for compensation of |
| sepsis. The direct affect of these infections have not | | | | medical malpractice as the financial help would make |
| been verified yet, but these prenatal infections may | | | | the alleged doctor realize the extent of his/her |
| result in preterm birth which poses a risk of | | | | negligence and in the future, he/she should be diligent |
| developing cerebral-palsy. These infections may also | | | | while performing his/her duty of care. It would also |
| result in brain damage; RH incompatibility and jaundice | | | | give you an instinctive satisfaction by making the |
| may also add to the causes of cerebral-palsy. | | | | responsible person suffer for the suffering, pain and |
| Premature birth and low birth weight increase the | | | | loss that you and your child have gone through. |