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more_legal_areas cerebral_palsyChildren present the signs of cerebral palsy during the first five years of life. Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term used to describe a set of conditions that develop during gestation, child birth, or the first few years of life. These conditions are caused by brain damage which hinders the brain’s ability to properly control motor, sensory, and cognitive systems. It is estimated that half a million people are currently living with cerebral palsy in the United States. Nearly five thousand infants develop the signs of cerebral palsy each year and are soon diagnosed with the condition.
Signs of cerebral palsy can be present at birth or shortly thereafter. Signs of cerebral palsy may not be recognized until later on when the child develops outward signs of impairment or developmental delay. The earliest signs of cerebral palsy may be present during gestation. There are a variety of maternal and fetal risk factors that can increase the risk of cerebral palsy in infants. These first signs of cerebral palsy risks can include: maternal infection, Rh incompatibility, premature or post-mature birth, fetal stroke or loss of oxygen, fetal macrosomia, hemorrhage, infant jaundice, and others.
Birth complications may also provide the first signs of cerebral palsy risks. Long labor, difficult delivery, twisted umbilical cord, low amniotic fluid, and difficult forceps and vacuum delivery techniques can all prompt the first signs of cerebral palsy. Low grades on a newborn’s Apgar test may also be the first indication of the signs of cerebral palsy. Newborns that have immediate medical problems such as intracranial bleeding or serious lung problems may be at a greater risk of later showing the signs of cerebral palsy.
When children are born full term with no obvious signs of cerebral palsy, it may be difficult to diagnose a child with this condition. In these cases, the signs of cerebral palsy may not be discernable for months or years. Children typically master developmental tasks during a certain age range. Failure to reach developmental milestones within a certain age range may be among the first signs of cerebral palsy. Developmental delays, the persistence of infantile reflexes, abnormal muscle tone, and troubles with motor, sensory, and cognitive skills are all signs of cerebral palsy.
Ten to twenty percent of cerebral palsy cases develop because of a traumatic physical event that occurs within the first few years of life. Accidents, abuse, or medical conditions that cause head injuries, a prolonged period without oxygen, central nervous system infections or any other event which compromises the brain, can also prompt the first signs of cerebral palsy.
Patients show the signs of cerebral palsy at different points in development, depending on the cause and nature of a person’s condition. When a patient begins to show the signs of cerebral palsy, it is helpful to determine the causes of this condition in order to properly direct the course of treatment. When medical or other negligence causes trauma or injury resulting in cerebral palsy, that party can be held responsible for the damages that ensue.
For more information about the signs of cerebral palsy, you may wish to contact a legal professional who can help determine your legal rights and options.
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