Cerebral Palsy Causes

There are currently 500,000 people living with cerebral palsy in the United States and approximately five thousand new cases are diagnosed each year. Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe any physical condition caused by brain damage leading to sensory, motor, and central nervous system deficits in the first few years of life. Approximately 10-20% of cerebral palsy cases are caused during childbirth or shortly thereafter. In some cases the condition can be acquired within the first two years of life.

The causes of congenital Cerebral palsy include:

- Prenatal infections
- Drug / Alcohol Abuse
- Fetal stroke
- RH incompatibility
- Low amniotic fluid
- Improper dating of the pregnancy leading to pre- or post-mature delivery
- Other maternal health problems.

During birth, the following complications can lead to cerebral palsy:

- Low birth weight (premature babies are 30 times more likely to develop cerebral palsy than full terms)
- Macrosomia (excessive birth weight)
- Forceful Forceps or Vacuum delivery
- Long labor
- Breeched labor
- Umbilical cord complications
- Hemorrhage
- Trauma to the newborn
- Asphyxia (the lack of oxygen to a baby for extended periods of time which leads to brain damage)

When the causes of cerebral palsy are attributable to medical negligence during pregnancy and birth, the victims may have the legal right to seek compensation for their losses. Contact our service today if you would like to get in touch with attorneys experienced in Cerebral Palsy causes.