How Do Children Get Cerebral Palsy? by Wendy Moyer

There are estimates that as many as 700 out of every 100,000 babies that are born in the US have suffered from some type of harm during labor and/or delivery. Birth injuries, sometimes referred to as birth traumas, can vary in severity.

Unfortunately, in some instances, birth traumas are caused by the negligence of the medical team; the very people who are responsible for the well being of both mother and child.

Although there are many types of birth injuries, one of the most common is cerebral palsy. It can result from abnormalities or injuries in the brain. It can also be the result of brain damage that was caused during child birth and is often caused by trauma or low levels of oxygen.

When Will the Signs of Cerebral Palsy Appear?

Every year approximately 1,200 to 1,500 preschool children and 8,000 infants are diagnosed with cerebral palsy in the United States. More than 80% of cerebral palsy cases develop within a child's first month. However, they may appear until a child is three years of age.

Cerebral is a term that refers to the brain. Palsy refers to a lack of being able to control your body. It is a type of paralysis.

Cerebral palsy is not a disease. It is a number of chronic conditions that affect learning, thinking, muscle condition, and body movement. A person stricken with cerebral palsy usually will have a difficult time maintaining their balance and moving.

Nonetheless, there are many treatments now available. One of the most vital tools available to treat these conditions is physical therapy.

Children afflicted with cerebral palsy usually find it difficult to walk and have challenges using the bathroom. However, with early intervention and continual treatment their locomotive limitations can often be substantially reduced.

Physical therapy for kids with this condition focuses on improving their skeletal and muscular movement as well as their coordination. The goal of the therapy is to help children become more mobile and to become more independent. This is accomplished with exercise, massage, the use of certain devices, and applications of heat and cold.

With proper therapy and devices such as braces, crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs, children can learn to be more mobile.

It can be very expensive for a family to care for a child struck with cerebral palsy. Seven years ago the average lifetime cost of caring for one person who was struck with cerebral palsy was approximately $921,000.

If the medical team that was involved with the labor and delivery of a parent of a child who developed cerebral palsy was responsible for the condition they can be held accountable.