Yes, birth asphyxia can cause cerebral palsy. Hypoxia and anoxia, the two types of oxygen deprivation caused by neonatal asphyxia, are known causes of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy occurs because of damage to a specific area of the brain that controls motor movements. Some known causes include:
- Genetic abnormalities
- Problems during brain development
- Oxygen deprivation caused by birth asphyxia
- Traumatic brain injuries
Cerebral palsy is a common movement and motor disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one of every 323 children in the United States has some form of cerebral palsy. Birth asphyxia accounts for about ten percent of cases, although previous research put this number much higher.
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There Is No Cure for Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy occurs as a result of irreversible brain damage. While there are effective treatments for some symptoms, there is no cure to fix the damage done or reverse the effects of cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy affects children in a wide variety of ways and varying degrees of severity. The treatment addresses the child’s specific symptoms and complications, helping them alleviate pain and limitations and learn to adapt to the challenges they face.
Cerebral palsy treatment is very frequently multimodal. Your child may require medications, therapies, bracing, and surgery to address their symptoms. Others may only need medication, while some may rely on therapy and bracing.
Your child’s doctor will evaluate their individual needs and work as a team with their therapists, specialists, and others to address the child’s specific set of requirements. Their care plan should address not only their medical needs but also their social, cognitive, and emotional needs, as well.
By helping your child address their full range of symptoms, they may be able to reach their fullest potential. Children with cerebral palsy may need treatment to help them:
- Walk
- Speak and swallow
- Manage self-care activities
- Maintain posture and balance
- Handle everyday tasks
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Many Children Have Additional Diagnoses from Birth Asphyxia
Not only can birth asphyxia cause cerebral palsy, the damage it can do to the brain and other vital organs can also cause other significant health concerns. According to the CDC, many children who receive a cerebral palsy diagnosis also have at least one additional diagnosis. Some conditions commonly occur with cerebral palsy. For example, more than 40 percent of children with cerebral palsy also live with epilepsy.
Other common co-occurring conditions include:
- Intellectual disabilities
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Low vision
- Hearing loss
Your child’s co-occurring conditions may impact their treatment plan, prognosis, and other factors, as well. For example, children with both cerebral palsy and hearing loss may struggle to learn to speak and communicate, necessitating additional speech and language therapy.
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Your Child’s Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis Could Support a Birth Injury Case
Cerebral palsy may frequently occur as a result of a preventable birth injury. If your child suffered birth asphyxia and now has a cerebral palsy diagnosis, you may be able to hold the doctor or hospital liable. You may have a valid medical malpractice birth injury claim that would allow you to recover compensation for your child’s current and future care.
You can receive a free case review today and discuss your child’s injuries, diagnosis, and other details of your case with a member of our team. If we believe you have a malpractice case, you can work with an attorney who regularly represents families like yours in your state. They will represent your family based on a contingency fee, meaning they do not get paid unless you recover compensation.
Your attorney can assist you with taking your case to the legal system, including taking steps to gather evidence, reviewing the relevant medical records, and working with a medical expert witness who will verify that medical negligence caused your child’s cerebral palsy. Your attorney will then assign liability, possibly naming the doctor, hospital, or another party as a defendant in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
This may allow them to negotiate a fair settlement or present your case for compensation in court. A fair settlement in a birth injury case based on cerebral palsy may include damages for current and future medical care costs, related treatment and care, and other economic and non-economic losses.
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Speak with Us About Your Child’s Diagnosis Today
A team member from the Birth Injury Lawyers Group can help you better understand your legal case today. We want to discuss your child’s birth injury, cerebral palsy diagnosis, co-occurring conditions, prognosis, and other details with you today. We will review your child’s birth injury case for free and offer guidance on whether we believe you have a valid medical malpractice claim.
To get started with your case consultation right away, call (800) 222-9529.
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