Tag Archives: cerebral palsy lawyer

Common Causes of Birth-Related Brain Injuries

Sometimes an infant suffers brain damage during the birthing process, which can result in lifelong medical problems. Some conditions that arise from brain injury during birth include: Cerebral palsy Autism Hydrocephalus Down syndrome Epilepsy Behavior and language disorders Reading difficulties Brain injuries can occur during labor or delivery and are sometimes the result of medical malpractice. Medical errors during the birthing process that can cause an infant to suffer brain damage include but are not limited to: Using forceps at the wrong stage of labor Improperly using vacuum extractors Failing to treat jaundice, resulting in a form of brain damage known as kernicterus Ordering a cesarean section (C-section) too late Failing to properly treat or anticipate bleeding Delaying the delivery of a large baby Failing to properly resuscitate a baby or not acting quickly enough Administering drugs to the mother without proper monitoring, or making mistakes in dosage or delivery…
Read More »

Posted in Newsletters | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Common Causes of Birth-Related Brain Injuries

Treating Cerebral Palsy

The term cerebral palsy refers to a number of neurological disorders that permanently affect movement and coordination. Though cerebral palsy is an incurable birth defect, treatment is available to help manage the disabilities associated with this birth injury. Generally, starting treatment early increases the likelihood that a patient will overcome developmental disabilities or learn new ways to complete challenging tasks. Physical Therapy The Mayo Clinic describes physical therapy as one of the most important therapies for children with cerebral palsy. Targeted muscle training and special exercises can help children improve their strength, balance and mobility, leading to greater independence. And stretching can be used to help slow the formation of contractures. A child with cerebral palsy may require physical therapy for many years, and this type of treatment generally begins as soon as muscle tone abnormality or developmental delay is detected. The cost of continued physical therapy can be overwhelming,…
Read More »

Posted in Newsletters | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Treating Cerebral Palsy

Hydrocephalus from Birth Trauma: Symptoms and Prognosis

Hydrocephalus, once known as “water on the brain,” is a condition in which there is excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain. The fluid is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is a clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord that keeps brain tissue buoyant, delivers nutrients to the brain and removes waste, and flows between the cranium and spine to compensate for changes in the amount of blood in the brain. With hydrocephalus, the excess CSF causes an abnormal widening of the four ventricles in the brain, which leads to harmful pressure on brain tissue. This form of brain damage can manifest itself as cerebral palsy, a birth injury that results from damage to the cerebrum, which controls motor skills, sensory functions and cognitive thought. Hydrocephalus falls into two categories in terms of its causation: congenital hydrocephalus, when it is present at birth and caused by something that happened during…
Read More »

Posted in Newsletters | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Hydrocephalus from Birth Trauma: Symptoms and Prognosis