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Cerebral palsy is a condition that results from a brain injury or abnormality that occurs during fetal development, the birthing process, or within the first several months of the infant’s life. Though doctors have yet to fully understand all of the causes of early brain damage, medical science has identified a number of cerebral palsy causes and risk factors:

Maternal Infections

Maternal infections may increase the risk of cerebral palsy by as much as nine times and include:

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)

• Bladder or kidney infection

• Rubella

• Sepsis (an infection of the bloodstream)

• Chorioamnionitis, a uterus infection

• Toxoplasmosis

Because maternal infections are a known and often preventable cause of cerebral palsy, pregnant women should always seek medical treatment as soon as they believe they have an infection.

Prenatal/Neonatal Infections & Complications

The following prenatal/neonatal infections may increase the risk of cerebral palsy:

• Bacterial meningitis

• Viral encephalitis

• Group B streptococcal infection

• Herpes group B

• Sepsis

It is not known exactly how these infections cause cerebral palsy; however, evidence suggests that prenatal infections may lead to preterm birth—another risk factor for cerebral palsy. There is other evidence that suggests that infections can trigger brain damage and ultimately cause cerebral palsy.

Further complications that can cause cerebral palsy in the developing infant are jaundice and Rh incompatibility.

Premature Birth/Low Birth Weight

Preterm birth (occurring before 37 weeks gestation) and low birth weight are known to significantly increase the risk of cerebral palsy. Most likely to suffer health complications are babies who are born preterm because they are especially vulnerable.

Common risk factors of preterm birth can include stress, maternal infections, prior pregnancy with preterm labor, multiple births, uterine or cervical abnormalities, and smoking, drug or alcohol use.

Birth Injuries & Medical Malpractice

While many cases of cerebral palsy are congenital—that is, present at birth—some instances of cerebral palsy are due to damage to the brain during the birthing process itself. Birth injuries are largely preventable but may happen when medical staff fail to:

• Diagnose and treat maternal infections

• Recognize and respond to fetal distress

• Perform a C-section in a timely manner

• Treat jaundice in the newborn

• Ensure adequate oxygen supply

• Properly use equipment such as forceps or vacuum extraction

Medical malpractice is not necessarily intentional, but the consequences can be devastating nevertheless. When cerebral palsy is caused by medical malpractice, families may be able to pursue legal action to obtain compensation for their treatment costs and losses.

When to Talk to a Cerebral Palsy Attorney

If you had a complicated labor and delivery and your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, medical malpractice may be to blame. There is no cure for cerebral palsy and lifetime treatment costs average more than 0,000. One way you may be albe to receive the money necessary to pay for cerebral palsy treatment is to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. You may also be entitled to money for your pain and suffering, your child’s loss of earning capacity, and various additional costs related to the cerebral palsy.

Tags: birth injuries, birth injury, birth injury lawsuit, cerebral palsy, cerebral palsy lawsuit, medical malpractice, medical negligence