Posts Tagged ‘medical lawyers’
Understanding the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy occurs when damage is done to the brain. Cerebral palsy is characterized by impaired muscle movements and coordination.
The signs of cerebral palsy are not easy to recognize in an infant. Often the first sign recognized are movements that are jerky and sudden, similar to cerebral palsy.
However as the child gets older signs become more apparent. Main types of cerebral palsy are:
Spastic cerebral palsy: stiff muscles that affect either one side or the whole body are characteristic of this type of cerebral palsy.
Athetoid cerebral palsy: slow, jerky uncontrollable movements characterize athetoid cerebral palsy.
Ataxic cerebral palsy: balance and coordination are off in this type of cerebral palsy.
Mixed cerebral palsy: This condition usually is made of symptoms of other cerebral palsy types.
Is Your Child Displaying Cerebral Palsy Symptoms?
If your child is displaying cerebral palsy symptoms then take your child to a doctor for evaluation. The main symptom of cerebral palsy is the delay in development.
Milestones in early childhood are important to watch and monitor as your infant grows. An evaluation by a doctor is necessary if your child is not meeting the milestones.
Some developmental delays to be aware of are:
*Head movements are uncontrollable after 2 months
*Not sitting on their own after 10 months
*after one year the child is still not crawling
*dragging on one side of the child’s body
*Does not walk after 2 years of age
There are other signs to be aware of as indicating cerebral palsy. These include the child’s posture and early hand preference, which is a less noticeable sign. Favoring one hand over the other at an early age is called early hand preference. This is considered a possible sign of cerebral palsy if it shows up before one year old.
Other Symptoms, Associated Conditions and Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis
These associated conditions are common in children born with cerebral palsy:
*Seizures
*Breathing issues
*Impairments in hearing, speech or vision
*Mental development is impaired
When your child exhibits any of these signs it is important that they be evaluated by a doctor. Several tests may be given to help with a diagnosis. These tests may include, but are not limited to, EEG, CT scan and MRI.
Your child’s cerebral palsy may have been due to medical negligence during the birth process. These sort of cases could have been avoided.
A medical malpractice attorney can evaluate your case if you believe your child’s cerebral palsy is due to medical negligence. Contact and attorney as soon as you receive a diagnosis for advisement of your legal rights.