Developmental Delays That Could Point to Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a disorder that is diagnosed in childhood. This is because it generally results from a brain injury during pregnancy or birth, leading to developmental delays that will typically indicate the disorder. In certain circumstances, the negligence of another person may be the cause of injury. If you believe this is the case for your child, ensure you obtain an experienced medical malpractice attorney to protect your child’s rights.

There are symptoms to look for if you suspect your child may have developed CP as the result of a brain injury before or during birth. When babies and toddlers fail to make their benchmarks, an assessment of other skills should be undertaken. Indicators to look for include:

• Intellectual delay
• Communication problems, including speech or language problems
• Movement disorder
• Spinal deformities
• Incontinence
• Deficient bone density
• Deafness

In addition, there are five types of classifications for cerebral palsy. These include:

• Spastic cerebral palsy: This is characterized by walking difficulties caused by stiff muscles and magnified reflexes.
• Dyskinetic cerebral palsy: This is displayed in uncontrollable movements of the limbs, hands or face making it difficult for people to sit, walk, talk or swallow.
• Hypotonic cerebral palsy: This causes weak muscle tone leading to floppy movement.
• Ataxic cerebral palsy: This causes balance and coordination difficulties.
• Mixed cerebral palsy: This may include symptoms from a combination of classifications.

Each classification is determined by physical inabilities as well as mental inabilities. The need for and utilization of adaptive technology is assessed as well. To determine a diagnosis, a complete neurological exam will be given in conjunction with an EEG, an MRI, a CT scan and possibly an ultrasound. When an evaluation is completed, a plan of treatment can be determined.

While a screening can provide much sought after answers and treatment can help to alleviate symptoms, these steps are costly and frequently evolving. A personal injury attorney or a medical malpractice attorney can help patients and their families navigate the process to recover financial losses for injuries sustained due to the negligence of a medical professional.

Your child deserves every opportunity to enjoy life at its fullest. If you believe your child was a victim of a birth injury due to medical malpractice, contact the Moore Law Firm at (513) 232-2000 for help seeking compensation.