Cerebral Palsy Information | Study Finds Greater Risk of Cerebral Palsy During Night Births

Study Finds Greater Risk of Cerebral Palsy During Night Births

A new study by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has found a direct correlation between babies born at night and cerebral palsy.

After examining the medical information of 2 million births in California hospitals over the course of 14 years, researchers found that children were 22 percent more likely to develop cerebral palsy between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. 

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term used to describe brain disorders that negatively affect a person's coordination and bodily movements.  It is most often caused by lack of oxygen to the brain before, during and shortly after the birthing process.

The questions we find ourselves asking are why at night? Why such an increase in cerebral palsy during a specific time period of the day?

Although the authors of the study could not definitively pinpoint the exact cause of this increase, it is their educated opinion that poor staffing and medical errors during these late hours are the reason for such a marked increase in cases of cerebral palsy.

Of course, there are a myriad of causes for cerebral palsy, but what people often fail to realize is that many instances of CP are ultimately caused by medical negligence or malpractice.  The results of this study may come as a surprise to many, but to an experienced cerebral palsy lawyer, it actually makes sense.  If hospitals already have issues with staff shortages and fatigued workers, it only stands that these problems would be magnified late at night.

If you have a loved one who suffers from CP, and suspect that it may be the result of medical negligence or malpractice due to poor staffing or medical mistakes, do not hesitate to contact an experienced cerebral palsy law firm.  The fact is; caring for a child with cerebral palsy is incredibly expensive.  If it was caused by medical malpractice, your child may be eligible for compensation under the law.  If your child's CP could have been prevented, you owe it to them to contact us today for their free case evaluation.