Cerebral Palsy is one of most common types of birth injuries today. 

Children may suffer brain damage before, during or immediately following birth. Difficult labor or inappropriate methods of delivery may lead to Cerebral Palsy.  A lack of oxygen during birth, any intracranial bleeding, head trauma or meningitis during the first few days following birth, may also be a cause of Cerebral Palsy.  Premature babies are at a higher risk of developing Cerebral Palsy.

If your child is a victim of Cerebral Palsy, you should be aware that this condition may have been caused by any of the circumstances listed above.

Signs of Cerebral Palsy in infants and children are:

• poor head control,

• startles excessively,

• excessively stiffness or floppiness,

• difficulty sucking and feeding, and

• delays in motor development.

If you detect any of these signs, please consult your doctor.  A neurological examination may be necessary to rule out other possible disorders. Cerebral Palsy is generally diagnosed before the patient is three years of age.

There are three basic types of Cerebral Palsy, depending on which portion of the brain is affected:

• Spastic- movements are difficult and stiff;
• Ataxic- loss of depth perception & sense of balance;
• Athetoid- uncontrolled and involuntary movements.

There is no cure for Cerebral Palsy, but it can be managed to maximize independence.  Cerebral Palsy is not a disease or an illness.  It is a medical condition caused by damage to the brain.  Because of this, it does not progress with age as long as medical guidelines are followed and other factors, such as excessive weight gain, are controlled.

Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a group of conditions that affect control of movement and posture. Because of damage to one or more parts of the brain that control movement, an affected child cannot move his or her muscles normally. While symptoms range from mild to severe, the condition does not get worse as the child gets older. With treatment, most children can significantly improve their abilities.

A multidisciplinary team of health care professionals develops an individualized treatment plan based on the severity of cerebral palsy. It is imperative to involve patients, families, teachers, and caregivers in all phases of planning, decision making, and treatment. The individualized treatment plan will take into consideration both the immediate needs of the patient, and the long term prognosis for development. A child's brain and nervous system, because they are still developing, have an amazing ability to heal themselves to differing degrees. Often, initial signs of cerebral palsy in milder cases may improve over time, and with proper care and treatment.

Normally, muscles and tendons stretch and grow at the same rate as bones. With cerebral palsy conditions, muscle development may not keep pace with bone growth due to spasticity or contracture. Physical therapy is an important part of any treatment plan for cerebral palsy patients. Physical therapy may include:

• Daily range of motion exercises can assist with muscle development, and help keep limbs from growing weak or stiff.
• Stretches and Exercises can also improve the development of a child's motor skills.
• As the child ages and prepares for daily living, therapy may focus on improving the ability to sit, move independently, dress, and use the bathroom.
• Orthotics, such as braces and walkers, can help with limb control and positioning, and can be an important element of therapy - helping the child to perform daily tasks and participate in activities.

Children with cerebral palsy often benefit from speech therapy. In some cases, the lack of control in facial and throat muscles can cause drooling and eating difficulties - speech therapy can help regain some of this control. In addition, children with athetoid (dyskinetic) CP frequently have difficulty pronouncing words, a speech therapist can assist a child with their communication.

A child living with cerebral palsy can sometimes become frustrated, angry and irritable. Psychotherapy can improve behavioral issues, providing encouragement, improving self-esteem, reinforce positive messages, and stop negative behaviors like hair pulling and biting.

Medication may be used to target particular disabilities, such as seizures. As with many forms of drug therapy, a certain amount of experimentation may be required before optimum results are achieved.

• Antispasmodics are the most common medications used. They relax tight muscles and reduce muscle spasms. The muscle relaxants diazepam (Valium®) and dantrolene (Dantrium®) may be prescribed to control muscle contraction and spasticity.
• Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, and other Anticonvulsants are needed with patients who suffer seizures.
• Baclofen is a muscle relaxant and antispastic medication that is available in tablet and injectable forms.
• Anticholinergics inhibit the effects of acetylcholine, a brain chemical that triggers muscle contraction and may be prescribed to control the abnormal movements associated with athetoid cerebral palsy.
• Stool softeners and mild laxatives may help treat constipation, which is a common complaint of people with CP.

In addition to the above therapy options and available medications, some surgeries can be beneficial, improving the quality of life for CP patients.

• Surgery can be performed to loosen tight muscles and release fixed joints. This is most commonly used on major joint centers like hips, knees, and ankles. Only about 5% of people with stiffness of their elbows, wrists, hands, and fingers benefit from surgery.
• Surgery can be used to cut some of the nerves on limbs most effected by spasms. This procedure can reduce spasms and restore a degree of control.
• Additional surgeries may be beneficial for those with CP. These include surgeries for orthopedic problems (hip dislocation, uneven leg length, scoliosis, etc.), or medication-related procedures where a pump may be inserted in the abdomen to deliver medications.

For most, cerebral palsy is a life-long condition, however, treatments and environmental management can result in an improved quality of life for families. Staying informed about the latest treatment options, working with medical professionals, and creating a support system of family, friends and educators can assist in the healthy development of your child.

Parents of a child suffering with Cerebral Palsy should contact an attorney for research into the cause of their child's affliction.

If your child's Cerebral Palsy is due to professional medical malpractice or negligence, you have a right to receive compensation. It is important to see an attorney who is experienced in cases involving Cerebral Palsy.

CEREBRAL PALSY FAQs

What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a medical condition caused by a permanent brain injury that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. The effect of cerebral palsy is characterized by lack of muscle control and body movement. The cerebral palsy diagnosis is usually made shortly after birth, but may show up later in childhood.

Does cerebral palsy affect everyone the same way?
No. There are four classifications of cerebral palsy:

(1) Spastic - occurs when the muscles are too tight. Patients will have stiff and jerky movement and will often have difficulty letting go of something in their hand. Spastic cerebral palsy is divided into these subcategories:

• Diplegia - affects both arms or both legs
• Hemiplegia - affects limbs on one side of the body
• Quadriplegia - affects all limbs
• Monoplegia - affects only one limb
• Triplegia - affects three limbs

(2) Ataxic - occurs when the muscles are too weak. Patients will be shaky and unsteady. They will often have very poor balance and be extremely unsteady when they walk.

(3) Athetoid - occurs when the muscles fluctuate between being too tight and too weak. Patients will have involuntary movement in the face and arms, and will have difficulty holding themselves in an upright position.

(4) Mixed - occurs when the muscles are affected in a combination of any of the types listed above.

What are the side effects of cerebral palsy?
Side effects of cerebral palsy include seizures, spasms, visual problems, hearing problems, hyperactivity disorder, speech problems, and learning problems. Approximately half of all people with cerebral palsy suffer from seizures. Seizures occur when there is abnormal brain activity (the brain attempts to send abnormal messages very close together). Seizures affect people in different ways - some people may stop moving and stare, others may fall down. Some can cause a person to fall and shake violently. They are generally not dangerous and will only last a few minutes.

Is there a cure for cerebral palsy? What kinds of treatments are available?
Cerebral palsy is incurable. However, many therapies can be used to help ease the symptoms of cerebral palsy. You should seek guidance from the following professionals.

• Physician - trained in helping developmentally challenged youth.
• Orthopedist - Having a specialist to deal with bone-muscle-tendon issues is critical to the successful treatment of cerebral palsy.
• Psychologist - can help patients and their families deal with the unique stresses of cerebral palsy.
• Physical therapist - can create a regimen of exercises designed to improve strength and movement.
• Occupational therapist - can help the patient to function better in everyday life at school or work.
• Speech-language therapist - to work out communication problems.
• Social worker - to help the family gain access to community resources available to the disabled.

I have cerebral palsy. Can I pass it on to my children?
The answer is No. Cerebral palsy is not a disease, but a condition that is not contagious in any form. A parent who has cerebral palsy cannot pass it to their children. In addition, having cerebral palsy will not affect a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant, maintaining a normal pregnancy, or increase any chances of complications during labor and delivery.

How serious is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is an abnormality in the brain that effects the muscular and nervous systems. There is no cure for cerebral palsy. However, it is not dangerous like cancer, heart attacks, or other serious diseases and it is not a life-threatening situation. Although there is no cure, therapy such as physical, speech, and/or occupational may be very helpful for your health.

What causes cerebral palsy? Can it be prevented?
Cerebral palsy is caused by an injury to the brain during pregnancy, around the time of birth, or shortly after birth. The following injuries may be contributing factors to developing cerebral palsy: infection during pregnancy, jaundice, RH incompatibility, oxygen shortage, stroke, toxicity, bleeding, kidney infections, and urinary tract infections. Some of these factors can be avoided by receiving proper prenatal, labor & delivery and post-natal medical care.

What economic relief is available to those with cerebral palsy?
Up until the age of three, children qualify for early intervention programs either with professionals who provide services in home or in program centers. Under both federal and state law, children between the ages of three and twenty-two are entitled to special education services. These laws guarantee that a child with special needs has access to an educational program, including speech, occupational and physical therapy services and placement in public and private school programs. In addition:

• Respite care. Provides families with occasional relief from the daily care of the child. These services are offered by several state agencies and are often provided free.
• Eligibility for handicap plates. Often times there is an exemption on the sales tax/excise tax for such a vehicle.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI). A federally funded program that sends monthly checks to children who the federal government determines to be disabled.
• Medicaid. Federally funded programs that can extend medical benefits to disabled children who meet the eligibility criteria.
• Special services. Neurology, orthopedic and cardiac clinics. Often times there is no charge to the family for this initial diagnostic evaluation and financial assistance may be available beyond that.