What causes CP?

Brain damage is the cause of cerebral palsy. The brain damage can occur before, during, or after birth. Brain damage caused while the fetus is still in the womb could occur from an infection the mother sustained while pregnant, abuse of alcohol or drugs, poor nutrition or any number of other factors. After birth, brain damage causing cerebral palsy could occur from child abuse, pre-mature birth, viral infection or head injury.

When areas of the brain responsible for movement, balance and muscular control either develop incorrectly or are damaged, the result can be cerebral palsy. The part of the brain damaged determines the symptoms of cerebral palsy. The severity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the brain damage. Sometimes brain damage occurs early in the pregnancy as a result of problems with blood supply to the fetus' brain. Sometimes damage occurs later in pregnancy after the brain has already formed, as the child is delivered or in the first years of life. How brain damage occurs is not always known. Doctors have identified several risk factors for cerebral palsy.

Expectant mothers should avoid these risk factors to lower the possibility of having a child with cerebral palsy.

• German Measles - Doctors in the 1950's discovered contracting the German measles while pregnant could result in having a child with cerebral palsy. After an initial outbreak of the disease resulted in over 20,000 cerebral palsy births, doctors began inoculating expectant mothers. The result was an immediate decline in cerebral palsy births. German measles, or rubella, is a virus. After infecting the mother, the viral infection travels to the uterus and infects the fetus. The virus damages the fetus' developing central nervous system. Other viral infections like toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus can cause the same problems.

• Rh Disease - Rh disease is a condition caused by the baby and mother having incompatible blood cells. The mother's body senses a foreign threat in the body and erroneously attempts to eliminate it. The mother produces antibodies to destroy the blood cells of the fetus. The fetus can become severely jaundiced and brain damaged as a result. Blood clotting can increase the risk of Rh disease. Doctors can now prevent Rh disease by identifying it before the 28th week of pregnancy. A blood product called Rh immunoglobulin is given to the Rh negative mother at the 28th week of pregnancy and right before the baby is born.

• Insufficient Oxygenation - Proper oxygenation is needed for the brain to develop normally. Alcohol or drug abuse by the mother can cause brain damage in a developing fetus by inhibiting oxygen needed for normal brain development. The placenta supplies blood to the fetus. If the placenta tears or clots, blood supply bringing needed oxygen to the fetus can be compromised and result in brain damage as well. .

Causes of Cerebral Palsy after Birth

Brain damage occurring after birth results in about fifteen percent of cerebral palsy cases. Occasionally, brain damage occurs from asphyxia, or suffocation, during difficult labor or delivery. More often, brain damage causing cerebral palsy occurs from factors not related to the birthing process.

If not present at birth, cerebral palsy is most likely acquired in the first few years of life. Brain infections like bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis can result in cerebral palsy. Brain damage in children is often caused by head injuries from car accidents, falls or child abuse. Severe, untreated jaundice can cause brain damage. Bile pigments in the blood stream leftover from blood cells destruction build up and damage brain cells.

While not all causes of cerebral palsy are known, it is estimated that 10-20 percent of cerebral palsy cases are caused by a traumatic birth injury during birth caused by some form of medical neglect or malpractice. Fortunately, there are legal options for children and their families when an instance of negligence or malpractice causes a birth injury.

If you suspect that you or your loved one has been the victim of medical negligence and are now diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you are encouraged to contact a cerebral palsy attorney at Rasansky Law Firm today to discuss your legal options. Caring for cerebral palsy is wildly expensive and if the injury could have been avoided you owe it to yourself and your loved one to speak to a lawyer today.