Cerebral palsy (CP) can make your child’s life difficult. The condition occurs when the part of the brain that controls movement, balance and posture gets damaged. While the damage may happen anytime during the brain’s development, it unfortunately happens often during childbirth.
This is why difficult deliveries can raise a child’s risk for CP. If you experience complications during delivery or your newborn sustains birth injuries, it may result in cerebral palsy.
Common birth injuries linked to cerebral palsy
Several birth injuries can increase the risk of CP, including:
- Lack of oxygen or asphyxia: When a baby’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen during birth, it can lead to brain damage. Problems with the umbilical cord or placenta can cause a lack of oxygen.
- Head trauma or brain hemorrhage: If you have a difficult or prolonged birth, the doctor may use tools like forceps or vacuum extraction to help. However, using tools with excessive force can cause physical injuries and bleeding in your baby.
- Infections: You can pass on an infection you have to your baby during pregnancy or childbirth if doctors don’t treat it right away. This can affect their overall growth and possibly damage your baby’s brain.
- Jaundice: Untreated jaundice can worsen and lead to kernicterus. In turn, this can lead to deafness and permanent brain damage.
Birth injuries and cerebral palsy due to medical negligence
Many birth injuries stem from unavoidable or unexpected birth complications. However, birth injuries – and, by extension, CP – may also happen because of a mistake or medical negligence. In such cases, it is important to hold the responsible parties accountable.
For example, if your doctor fails to diagnose an infection or delays giving you proper treatment for it, this can result in cerebral palsy. Similarly, improper use of delivery tools or delays in performing a necessary cesarean delivery may also lead to birth injuries and CP.
Seek support and legal guidance
Health care providers have a responsibility to monitor you and your baby throughout your pregnancy and childbirth. It is their responsibility to identify and address complications promptly and avoid birth injuries.
If you suspect that a birth injury due to negligence caused your child’s cerebral palsy, do not hesitate to seek legal guidance. An experienced attorney can provide valuable insight into your rights and potential avenues for compensation.