Children with cerebral palsy may suffer from one of several types of the condition: spastic, athetoid, ataxic or mixed. Most cerebral palsy children suffer from spasticity, which is generally characterized by rigid and convulsive muscles. However, children with other forms of cerebral palsy may suffer from excessively loose and flaccid muscles (caused by low muscle tone), poor balance and coordination, or a combination of these and other symptoms.

Some cerebral palsy children also suffer from related conditions, including mental retardation, epilepsy, visual or hearing impairments, and behavioral issues. Though there is currently no cure for cerebral palsy in children, various treatments can help manage the symptoms of cerebral palsy and its associated conditions.

What Causes Cerebral Palsy in Children?

Cerebral palsy is caused by pre-, peri- or postnatal injury to the brain. In many cases, the cause of the brain damage is unknown; in other cases, more than one cause is involved in the development of cerebral palsy.

However, known causes of cerebral palsy and factors that increase the risk of the condition include:

• Birth injuries
  
• Poor oxygen supply
  
• Premature birth
  
• Prenatal infections such as toxoplasmosis or rubella
  
• Severe jaundice
   

Cerebral palsy may also develop as a result of brain injury that occurs during the first few years of life, particularly because of brain trauma, illnesses like meningitis, stroke, and acute dehydration.

Facts about Children with Cerebral Palsy

Below are some interesting facts about cerebral palsy in children:

• Cerebral palsy is diagnosed more often in boys than it is in girls
  
• About 50 percent of cerebral palsy children are born prematurely
  
• Hemiplegic cerebral palsy affects approximately 1/3 of children with the condition
  
• 25 percent of children with cerebral palsy also suffer from seizures
  
• 60 percent of those with cerebral palsy have normal or above average intelligence
  
• 30 percent of cerebral palsy children have severe learning disabilities
  
• 1/3 of children with cerebral palsy cannot walk and 1/4 cannot dress or feed themselves
  
• The number of children being diagnosed with cerebral palsy is increasing worldwide

Treating Cerebral Palsy in Children

Treatments for cerebral palsy vary from child-to-child but often involve some combination of the following:

• Physical therapy for exercising and stretching muscles
  
• Occupational therapy for help with daily tasks
  
• Speech therapy for children with language difficulties
  
• Hearing aids, glasses or eye surgery to correct hearing or vision impairments
  
• Drug therapy such as baclofen, phenol or Botox to relax muscles and reduce spasms in children with

hypertonia (tight and inflexible muscles)

• Assistive technologies to help with mobility and communication
  
• Surgery to improve muscle or joint movement
  
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and various other alternative therapies
   

Even though cerebral palsy is not a progressive condition and will not get worse over time, it generally requires a lifetime of treatment. The cost of treating a child with cerebral palsy can financially overwhelm a family, and some associations provide assistance to families in need.

When Medical Malpractice Is To Blame

For children whose cerebral palsy was preventable—that is, caused by a medical error during delivery—there are legal options. Negligent parties may be held financially responsible for damages suffered by cerebral palsy children and their families.

If your child experienced a traumatic delivery and you think medical malpractice may be to blame for his/her condition, contact Burke & Eisner today. We’ll evaluate your case at no cost to you and inform you of your legal rights.

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 See Also:

* Cerebral Palsy Symptoms
* Cerebral Palsy Attorney

Cerebral Palsy Law Blog