Cerebral palsy is a permanent condition that impairs the control of movement due to damage to the brain in its development. Although the symptoms of cerebral palsy are not immediately recognizable after birth, symptoms are usually evident by the time the baby should begin to crawl and participate in other toddler and young childhood activities. Cerebral palsy is recognized as the most common cause of chronic childhood disability.
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
Many cases of cerebral palsy are the result of avoidable medical problems that the baby endures during delivery. These conditions can include infection, insufficient oxygen supply and fetal distress. Doctors and medical personnel in the delivery room are trained to monitor signs of distress. Any condition that leads to any type of birth injuries and, subsequently cerebral palsy, may be an indication of negligence on the part of the doctor, nurses or hospital.
The symptom common to all diagnosed cases of cerebral palsy is lack of control of motor skills and muscle coordination throughout the body. To a lesser or greater degree, other symptoms may include:
- Stiffness, problems with posture, balance and/or coordination
- Problems with walking, speech and other bodily functions
- Development disabilities, learning disabilities
- Seizures, breathing problems
Types of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is actually a category of conditions, rather than one single medical condition. There are several different types of cerebral palsy. The different types include:
(1) Spastic (pyramidal): The major symptom of this type is stiff, spastic muscles and jerky movements of various parts of the body. This type is classified by the affected body part and is the most common type of cerebral palsy.
(2) Dyskinetic (extrapyramidal): The major symptom is affected coordination. The subtypes include:
(a) Athetoid: slow, uncontrolled movements, affecting any part of the body
(b) Ataxic: problems with balance and coordination, including depth perception
(3) Mixed: This is a mixture of more than one of the above types.
Experienced New York City Birth Injury Attorneys
If your baby has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and you believe it is the result of possible negligence on the part of a medical professional, talk to an experienced New York birth injury lawyer at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., in Manhattan. The costs associated with cerebral palsy can be extensive. If negligence occurred, you may be entitled to compensation. If you or someone you know has suffered cerebral palsy due to negligence, ask him or her to contact us for a free consultation and case evaluation.
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From offices on Wall Street, Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum represents clients in litigation matters throughout the New York City metro area and the state. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced New York cerebral palsy lawyers.
