Children with Cerebral Palsy
There are many different forms of cerebral palsy, including spastic, athetoid, ataxic, and mixed. Cerebral palsy children suffer from one of these types, but the most common is spastic.
Spasticity is usually identified through stiff and convulsive muscles. Still, there are other forms of cerebral palsy that children suffer from that cause very loose muscles, their coordination is poor, or a combination of these symptoms.
Other related conditions which cerebral palsy children suffer from include mental retardation, vision and hearing impairments, and bad or uncontrollable behavior. There are medications for patients to keep the symptoms under control because there is no known cure for cerebral palsy.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy in Children?
Cerebral palsy has one main cause: prenatal brain injury. Sometimes, more than one cause is involved in developing the cerebral palsy, but other times, the cause is unknown.
Though, we are aware of some causes of the development of cerebral palsy, and some factors which cause a person to be more vulnerable to it. These are:
*Birth injuries
*Inadequate oxygen supply
*Early births
*Prenatal infections like rubella
*Severe jaundice.
Brain injuries which occur in the early years of life cause cerebral palsy to develop in children, instead of from birth. These brain injuries are often caused by trauma, strokes, meningitis, and dehydration.
Treatments for Cerebral Palsy Children
Treating cerebral palsy varies depending on the child, but typically includes a combination of the following.
*Physical therapy to stretch and exercise muscles
*Occupational therapy, to assist with regular tasks
*Speech therapy to improve language and help with pronunciation difficulties
*Using glasses and hearing aids to improve vision and hearing impairments
*Drug therapy to reduce muscle spasms and relax tight and inflexible muscles
*Improving mobility and communication skills with the help of technology
*Different types of surgery to improve muscle and joint movement
*Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and other alternative therapies
Cerebral palsy is not a progressive condition which worsens over a period of time. However, it does require a lifetime of treatment. Treating a cerebral palsy patient can be devastatingly expensive and very difficult for a family to manage. There are places that provide assistance to families in need.
What to do if Medical Malpractice is to Blame
For some children, cerebral palsy was avoidable. This means that it was caused by a medical error during the delivery process. For families in this situation, there are legal options. It is possible that negligent parties are held financially responsible for damages suffered by cerebral palsy children and their families.
If medical malpractice is at fault for your child's disability, then contact a medical lawyer today. This will put your finances back on track.
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