Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affects motor coordination and movement and is often caused by oxygen deprivation during the labor and delivery process.
While most have heard of cerebral palsy, there are many things about the condition that may surprise people.
Below, our Baltimore birth injury attorneys discuss three little-known facts about cerebral palsy.
#1. Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood.
Cerebral palsy is surprisingly common, with approximately one child per hour born with the condition in the United States. And, sadly, these children will live with this condition for the rest of their lives. Cerebral palsy has no cure and long-term treatment only serves to mitigate and manage children’s symptoms.
#2. Sixty percent of children with cerebral palsy are born at-term.
Many people are under the false assumption that cerebral palsy only happens in children born prematurely. A majority of cerebral palsy cases, however, occur in children who developed fully in the womb and only faced a complication (such as oxygen deprivation) during the birthing process.
#3. The symptoms of cerebral palsy can vary greatly.
Since cerebral palsy involves damage to the brain, the severity of the condition can vary greatly. Some children may only experience weakness in one hand while others suffer from a near-complete lack of voluntary movement and require around-the-clock care. It all depends on the extent of brain damage the child experiences during the birthing process.
Did Your Child Develop Cerebral Palsy After Birth? Contact Us Today
No matter how attentively you care for yourself and your unborn child during your pregnancy, a medical error can still leave your child with a lifelong disability. If your child developed cerebral palsy due to a medical error, our Baltimore birth injury attorneys can help you identify any and all liable parties and recover the compensation you need to get your child the high-quality care they deserve.
Contact Brown & Barron, LLC at (410) 698-1717 to schedule a free consultation.