Cervical dystonia, sometimes known as spasmodic torticollis, is a neurologic condition that causes the muscles in the baby’s neck to contract involuntarily. This may cause the child’s head to turn to one side or move forward or backward. Even once head control develops in the newborn, they may not have control of these movements.
Cervical dystonia has no cure. Some symptoms of cervical dystonia may never go away. Treatment options aim to help reduce the baby’s pain and improve their quality of life.
In infants, cervical dystonia may occur as a result of a traumatic brain injury caused by birth trauma. If doctor negligence caused your child’s cervical dystonia, you may be able to recover compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Causes, Treatments, and Living With Cervical Dystonia
Cervical dystonia can occur for a number of reasons. These may include stroke, infection, brain injury due to lack of oxygen, or a brain injury due to pressure or impact during a difficult birth. Cervical dystonia can also be genetic.
Parents may first recognize cervical dystonia by noticing the following symptoms in their child:
- Their head is tilted to or favors one side
- Uncontrolled head movement or jerking motion
- Child is in pain
If you believe your child may have cervical dystonia, bring them to a doctor for an immediate evaluation. Your doctor may need to run a series of tests or monitor your baby over time to arrive at a diagnosis and design a treatment plan.
Treatments for cervical dystonia may vary depending on the severity of the injuries and how the baby responds. Treatment may include:
- Muscle relaxers, pain relievers, and other medications
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Surgical procedures to remove selected nerves that play a role in the involuntary movements
- A brain implant that may be able to curb the movements
Children with cervical dystonia may need additional support as they grow, including additional therapy. Because there is no cure for cervical dystonia, the goals of treatment may be to reduce pain, increase mobility, and give your child the most comfort and independence possible. Your child’s doctor may best be able to help you understand if any of your child’s cervical dystonia symptoms may go away, and to what degree.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Cervical Dystonia May Occur Because of Medical Malpractice
Some cases of infant cervical dystonia, such as those with hereditary causes, are unpreventable. Other times, this condition can be linked to preventable birth injuries.
A preventable birth injury means the doctors in charge may have taken incorrect action—or failed to take necessary action—and the child was injured as a result. Had another doctor been in charge, the injuries may have been prevented.
Cervical dystonia may be a preventable birth injury if it was caused by:
- A condition in the mother or child a doctor failed to diagnose during prenatal care
- A complicated birth that a doctor failed to prepare or plan a safer alternative for
- Injuries that the doctor caused directly to the infant with excessive manual force
- The incorrect use of birth assistance tools such as forceps or a vacuum extraction device
- Other negligent actions on behalf of the doctor or hospital
Failing to prevent a birth injury when it is possible to do so may qualify as medical negligence support a medical malpractice case.
If you are able to prove that medical malpractice caused your child’s injuries, you may be eligible to recover compensation for the damages your child and your family suffered. This may include all costs of current and future medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Talk to the Birth Injury Lawyers Group About Your Case Today
If you believe your child suffered a birth injury because of doctor negligence, the Birth Injury Lawyers Group is here to help you today. A lawyer from our firm who understands cervical dystonia and the lasting effects of this type of injury to a newborn may be able to pursue justice on behalf of your family.
When the Birth Injury Lawyers Group represents you, we can:
- Investigate your case to determine how medical malpractice occurred
- Hire medical experts to testify in your defense
- Handle all deadlines, communications, and paperwork
- Negotiate with the responsible party’s insurance company for a settlement
- Take your case to trial, if necessary
To discuss your options for seeking compensation in a free consultation with a member of our team, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529 today. We offer representation on a contingency-fee basis with no up-front payments required.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."