Submit your claim details for a free, no obligation case review
Get Started:
Every year, thousands of American children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy, although in most cases the cause remains unknown. A recent study conducted by a Chicago gynecologist has yielded evidence that cerebral palsy is caused by a preventable infection.
Cerebral palsy, a type of brain damage, affects children for the rest of their lives. Around 6,000 babies are born with the disease each year.
Dr. Robert Mittendorf, a gynecologist at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill., has conducted research indicating that a bacterial infection may be one of the possible causes of cerebral palsy. In particular, Mittendorf believes that when a common, usually harmless strain of staphylococci works its way into the lining of the uterus, it can lead to premature birth and raise the odds of cerebral palsy.
"The vast majority of cerebral palsy is actually associated with these infections, these low-grade infections, that mothers may have," Mittendorf said. "They are 37 times more likely to have babies that are affected with cerebral palsy."
The study at Loyola includes 500 women who are expected to deliver prematurely. Mittendorf will test both mothers and children for strains of the bacteria, and then wait 18 months to see which, if any, of the children develop cerebral palsy. If he can isolate and identify the specific strains of bacteria causing cerebral palsy, Mittendorf hopes to develop a vaccine against it, which could prevent around half of all cerebral palsy cases if his theory is correct.
Copyright © 2001 - 2012 Online Lawyer Source
ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT—Thank you for your visit. The content published on this website was not written by medical professionals and should not, at any point, be mistaken for medical advice. Furthermore, the information on this site is intended for educational purposes only and should never interfere with a patient/site visitor and his or her healthcare provider. In addition, viewing the content on this website, requesting additional information, or transmitting information through a contact form should never be considered the formation of an attorney-client relationship. The material published on this site is general and may not apply to your specific circumstances. Every case comes with its own set of unique circumstances; past success discussed on this site does not guarantee future performance. Information found on this website should not be used as incentive to act without seeking counsel from a professional. For more information, please read our disclaimer.