Most cases of cerebral palsy are diagnosed at an early age. A parent notices symptoms of cerebral palsy by delayed development in their children and bring them to a doctor. If the doctor also sees symptoms of cerebral palsy, he will do a complete examination of the child and then begin a thorough investigation of the mother's pregnancy. If you have a child who is showing symptoms of cerebral palsy, you should contact a cerebral palsy as soon as possible. A good cerebral palsy lawyer can help you and your child through this difficult time, making sure your child receives the treatment they deserve.

Pregnancy Risk Factors: The First Sign Post of Cerebral Palsy

Statistics show 80 percent of cerebral palsy cases are attributed to congenital brain damage. Congenital means present at birth. Most babies with cerebral palsy sustained some kind damage to their brains while they were developing in the womb. Brain damage is what causes the first signs of cerebral palsy in a child. A good cerebral palsy lawyer will make sure you and your child visit a qualified doctor who will try to determine if there were any signs of known pregnancy risk factors for cerebral palsy that should have been diagnosed by the child's birth physician.

Signs of CP: Cerebral Palsy Risk Factors:

• Mothers with a history of maternal hyperthyroidism, seizures or mental retardation - Research indicates mothers with these conditions have an increased risk of producing children with cerebral palsy.
• Rh disease during pregnancy - Blood type incompatibilities between mother and infant can result in malformation of the fetal brain.
• Viral infection of the mother during early pregnancy - Contraction of the German measles has an especially high rate of negatively affecting fetal brain development.
• Placental infection or tears - Loss or blockage of blood in the placenta can result in reduced oxygen flow to the fetal brain.
• Alcohol or drug abuse by the mother while pregnant - Both can cause oxygen deprivation while the fetal brain develops, resulting in brain damage.
• Poor nutrition or prenatal care - For the brain to develop it needs an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients. If either is sub-standard, it can cause brain damage or malformation.
• Severe proteinuria or maternal bleeding late in pregnancy - Proteinuria is the presence of excess protein in the urine. Late vaginal bleeding and proteinuria during the last months of pregnancy are linked to a higher risk of cerebral palsy.

Delivery Risk Factors and Potential Signs of Cerebral Palsy in Newborns

A link between cerebral palsy and difficult pregnancies has been suspected since the disorder was first studied in the 1800's. Researchers have studied cerebral palsy by examining numerous mothers during their pregnancy, monitoring their deliveries and studying their children's neurological development. Doctors discovered certain signs occurring during delivery or immediately after birth indicate an increased possibility of a later diagnosis of cerebral palsy. A qualified cerebral palsy lawyer and their legal experts can help determine if the birth physician missed important delivery risk factors and signs of cerebral palsy in your newborn

Cerebral Palsy delivery risk factors include:

• Complicated labor or delivery - Babies experiencing respiratory or vascular distress during labor or delivery can be the first sign it has sustained brain damage or malformation while in the womb. Additionally, 10 % of cerebral palsy cases are attributed to brain damage from asphyxia during delivery or labor.
• Breech birth - Statistics show babies with cerebral palsy are more likely to be breech, meaning born feet first.
• Low Apgar scores continuing 10 minutes after birth - An Apgar score is a rating doctors give a child every several minutes after birth. It measures skin color, heart rate, breathing, muscle tone and reflexes and then compares those ratings to scores considered normal. Some babies have poor initial Apgar scores immediately after birth from the trauma of delivery. Usually their Apgar scores climb steadily each time they tested. Continued low scores after 10 minutes is usually a sign of potential problems.
• Seizures - Newborns who have seizures are immediately suspected of brain damage or malformation.
• Premature birth or low birth weight - Statistics indicate newborns under the weight of 5 lbs 8 ounces or born before completing 37 weeks of gestation have a greater risk of cerebral palsy. Risk decreases as weight increases.

Signs of Cerebral Palsy in Children

The first symptoms of cerebral palsy are related to children not meeting development milestones. Delays in turning over, sitting up, bringing hands together, walking or speaking could indicate cerebral palsy. A doctor can help determine if a child is just a late developer or if the delay is cause for concern. Other symptoms of cerebral palsy concern the child's muscle tone. If a child seems abnormally floppy or stiff, consult a doctor immediately. Lack of muscle control is the number one symptom of cerebral palsy.

Early diagnosis is the key in helping lessen the affects of cerebral palsy symptoms later in life. If you see any signs of developmental delay, or other symptoms of cerebral palsy, talk to your child's pediatrician. If your child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you should contact a cerebral palsy lawyer to ensure your child is afforded every available medical treatment. Contact a cerebral palsy lawyer today.