Practice Areas

Cerebral Palsy

• Cerebral Palsy Information
• Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis
• Spastic Cerebral Palsy
• Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
• Athetoid Cerebral Palsy
• Causes of Cerebral Palsy
• Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Brachial Plexus Injuries

• Shoulder Dystocia
• Brachial Plexus Injury
• Erb's Palsy
• Klumpke's Palsy
• Brachial Plexus Injury Treatment

Additional Birth Injury Information

• Birth Injury FAQ
• Birth Injury Resource Page

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Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Because the term encompasses a number of conditions associated with brain damage near the time of birth, there are many possible causes of cerebral palsy. It is not always clear what caused the brain damage in the first place, but the attorneys of Litigators Incorporated near Chicago, Illinois, know what to look for when reviewing medical records.

Possible Causes of Cerebral Palsy Before Birth

• Infection of the mother while pregnant (German measles, shingles, etc.)
• Blood differences between mother and fetus (Rh incompatibility)
• Health problems of the mother (diabetes or toxemia of pregnancy)
• Inherited (rare, but possible)

Possible Causes of Cerebral Palsy During Birth

• Hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
• Birth injuries from complications
• Premature delivery

Possible Causes of Cerebral Palsy After Birth

• Brain infection (encephalitis, meningitis)
• Head injuries
• Lack of oxygen
• Poisoning
• Blood clots of the brain
• Brain tumors
• Jaundice (excessive bilirubin)

Medical Malpractice and Cerebral Palsy

There are many causes of cerebral palsy. One of the most important causes of cerebral palsy during the birth process is an insufficient amount of oxygen reaching the newborn or fetal brain. Oxygen supply can be interrupted by the placenta separating prematurely from the uterus wall, an unusual birth position of the baby, labor that is either too long or too quick, or a problem with circulation in the umbilical cord.

Many times when there is a lack of oxygen the doctors and nurses should be able to identify fetal distress by interpreting the fetal monitor strip correctly. If the doctor fails to do a C-Section, or to do it quickly, the child will lose oxygen and develop cerebral palsy or brain damage.

After birth, the skin of many infants turns slightly yellow due to certain natural processes. This mild jaundice is caused by the presence of bilirubin, a yellow agent produced when red blood cells die, when the liver cannot remove the chemicals quickly enough from the bloodstream. With some babies, however, this jaundice is much worse due to excessive bilirubin. This severe jaundice can cause a high fever, which can result in brain damage. Doctors are trained to identify risk factors for this condition, and may be held responsible if it goes untreated.

The cerebral palsy lawyers at Litigators Incorporated are dedicated to helping victims of birth injury and medical malpractice and throughout the U.S. Please contact us today!