A new study from University College Cork in Ireland says that even mild oxygen deprivation at birth can cause neurological damage. EchoLive.ie reported on the study. The study looked at a condition called hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE), a type of brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen. This can cause permanent brain damage and …
Hearing The Voices Of The Disabled Is Crucial
Compensation for a birth injury does remove some of the damage caused by it, but there are still lifelong challenges. That’s why it’s important to listen to the voices of disabled people to understand those challenges, rather than making assumptions. This is an important part of disability advocacy. An article in Yahoo Lifestyle talks about …
PPHN Infants Likely To Be Readmitted To Hospital Before Age 1, Says New Study
A new study in the Journal of Pediatrics claims that infants with PPHN are significantly more likely to be readmitted or die within the first year of life. Pulmonary Hypertension News reported on the story. The study wanted to find out about the morbidity and mortality of infants with PPHN after they’ve been discharged from …
Mothers Share Their Story Of Abusive Childbirths
Birth malpractice can happen to both the child and the mother. An expose on Vice talks about the stories of women who allege that doctors and other medical professionals abused them during childbirth. The stories allege that they experienced violence during birth, including unnecessary surgeries, medications, and procedures. Some of the women also shared stories …
Jason Benetti, Voice Of The White Sox, Shares His Cerebral Palsy Experiences
Jason Benetti is known as the announcer for the White Sox, but what you may not know is that he also has cerebral palsy. CBS Sunday Morning shared his story. He doesn’t remember doing this, but as a child, he wanted to be the announcer for the White Sox and wrote about it in an …
Study Shows Why Seizures In Babies Can have Lifelong Effects
One of the symptoms of infant brain damage is seizures. A lack of oxygen and blood flow can lead to seizures and deaths in newborns. One trouble with this symptom is that a child with minor seizures may seem normal after they get treatment but then later have behavioral and learning problems once they get …
Mother Shares Story Of The Challenges Of Adult Caregiving
Some children born with birth injuries will never overcome them. They may need caretakers in their adult lives. NBC station KARK shared the story of one mother in this situation who is taking care of her daughter with cerebral palsy. Christina Hoskins is 35 years old, but her mental capacity still in childhood. Her mother, …
The Moro Reflex May Be Scary, But It’s A Sign Of Health
There is a particular reflex that babies have called the Moro reflex. If you lay a baby on their back they will throw their hands out to the side, draw them in, and start crying. The reflex usually goes away at around five months of age. An article on Fatherly talks about the reflex and …
Twins With Cerebral Palsy And Autism Gain Success Through Swimming, Academics
The way that a child is raised after being diagnosed with a disability can make all the difference in their future. A pair of twins with autism and cerebral palsy is an example of this. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported on twin brothers who have made huge strides despite serious disabilities. If you looked at …
Grandmother Charged With Starving Grandson With Cerebral Palsy To Death
Caring for a child with cerebral palsy can be difficult, and sometimes it drives people to extreme acts if they cannot get the help and compensation they need for their care. A tragic case in North Carolina reported by NBC News shows an example. A grandmother was arrested after police were called to her house …
Baby Born With Rare Disease That Causes Brittle Bones
Broken bones in an infant can be caused by trauma, but there are some rare diseases that can cause a baby’s bones to be incredibly fragile. IOL in New Zealand talks about one of these rare cases. A five-month-old named Mya has bee diagnosed with a rare bone disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or OI. The …
Oregon Father Pleads Guilty For Abusing His Infant Son
Birth injury lawsuits aren’t just pursued against hospitals and doctors. Sometimes it’s family members who cause the injuries. You can sue them in court as well, even if they are facing criminal charges like in this case. A Coos County man pled guilty to manslaughter, assault, and criminal mistreatment after he injured his four-month-old son …
Teen With CP Holds Dozens Of Musical Performances. He Used To Be Wheelchair-Bound
A 15-year old teen with cerebral palsy has managed to achieve his dream of dancing in a musical. He has completed 58 performances of the musical “Hairspray” for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Oregon Live reported on the news. Luke Laurenson was born with dystonic quadriplegia cerebral palsy and relied on a wheelchair to get around, …
Young Man With Cerebral Palsy Wins Award For His Karate Skills
A young man in Canada was rewarded for his years of effort to become a first-degree black belt in Karate. Sachem.ca reported on the man’s story. Kyle Chambers was honored at Haldimand’s 19th annual Recognition Night for his achievement of a first-degree black belt in karate. In addition, he has won three consecutive gold medals …
New Research May Lead To Treatment For Brain Injury In Premature Babies
Babies born before 37 weeks have a high likelihood of brain injuries. New research has found a possible reason why this happens. Babygaga has the story. It turns out that part of the immune system can attack a baby’s brain if those cells become inflamed. The cells are called microglia. This inflammation can be caused …
Study In Mice Shows Possible Treatment For Childhood Muscle Contractures, But More Study Is Needed
Science Daily has reported on a study that may be a possible treatment for muscle contractures in childhood paralysis. This could be a big book for people with brachial plexus injuries, Erb’s palsy, or cerebral palsy. The study was performed by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center on mice. Researchers are able to mimic the …
Florida Boy Left Paralyzed Due To Flu Virus
A boy in Florida was paralyzed after a flu virus attacked his spinal cord. He was diagnosed with a rare inflammation of the spinal cord called transverse myelitis. The condition manifested when he was nine months old. He was on life support for 20 days. Since the incident, he has regained movement of his hands, …
Inquest Finds Hospital Liable For Inadequate Care To Mother Who Lost Her Baby To Infection
A couple in London has sued a hospital for letting chorioamnionitis go untreated and ignoring the mother’s pleas to get a C-section. MEAWW.com reported on the tragic story. Two years ago, young Sebastian died after just four days due to a fatal brain injury caused by an infection. The coroner in the investigation found that …
Family Creates Duck Boat Costume For Child With Cerebral Palsy
It’s Halloween today, and so we want to share a light-hearted story about a family in Alaska who created a special costume for their son with cerebral palsy. WKRG explains. The family created mock duck hunting boat for Brantley Finch of Saraland. Brantley has cerebral palsy and is two years old. The boat was made …
Episiotomies Are Still Happening, Sometimes Without Consent
The New York Times reported on the current state of a procedure called episiotomy. It is an incision made between the vagina and the anus to help control vaginal tearing during birth. It used to be a common procedure, but now it’s use isn’t recommended. Yet it is still common in some hospitals to make …
New Surgery Restores Arm Function In 13 Young Adults With Complete Paralysis
Science Daily reports on a new study in The Lancet about a new type of surgery that restored hand and elbow function in 13 people with complete paralysis. The surgery might bring hope to people with brachial plexus injuries and Erb’s Palsy. The surgery is called nerve transfer surgery. Surgeons attach functioning nerves above the …
Illinois Mother Sues Hospital After Baby Dies From Traumatic Brain Injury
An Illinois mother is suing a hospital under that state’s wrongful death and survival statues. The Madison Record has the story. The mother filed suit against Anderson Hospital in Maryville and its parent company. The baby in question died nine days after birth due to catastrophic brain injury. The suit claims that the staff negligently …
Sleep And Pain Issues Increase Chance Of Behavior Problems In Children With Cerebral Palsy
A new study has revealed that one in four children with cerebral palsy had behavioral difficulties linked to sleep problems and nighttime pain. Cerebral Palsy News Today reports. The study was published in Research in Developmental Disabilities. Researchers from the McGill University Health Centre wanted to look at the prevalence of behavioral difficulties in young children with …
Midwives Lack Accountability In Oklahoma, Says Investigation
Some women have a desire to give birth to their babies outside of the hospital setting. The reasons are many, and given that we help mothers and babies harmed by doctors we understand why a mother may want to go with a midwife instead. However, not all midwives are equal. A new study in Oklahoma …
New Speech Tablet Lets Users “Talk” Face-To-Face
It wasn’t too long ago that people with extreme cerebral palsy had no way to communicate clearly with others. Speech tablets have been a huge boon for helping people with disabilities communicate when they have no other way. Cerebral Palsy News Today reports on a new version of this device. Tobii Dynavox has released a …