A new study has found that cerebral palsy occurs mostly due to prenatal factors such as birth defects rather than birth asphyxia and other potential causes often thought to be responsible.
The research was published in the September 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., examined the root causes of cerebral palsy in single-birth infants born at or after a 35-week gestation period. The category accounts for two-thirds of newborns with the condition.
The study’s authors noted that over 80 percent of cerebral palsy cases can be linked to birth defects and other major prenatal factors including placental conditions, fetal growth restriction and genetic aspects. Fewer than 10 percent of diagnoses are due to asphyxia during labor and delivery. They also called for more in-depth research into genetics and developmental neuroscience to gain a better understanding of the condition.
The results indicate that birth defects play a more significant role in cerebral palsy than birth injuries. However, thousands of newborns each year suffer birth injuries — including cerebral palsy — due to medical negligence during the labor and delivery process. Failure to order a timely Caesarian section delivery, insufficient fetal monitoring and improper administration of induction drugs are among the incidents that can lead to serious birth trauma in babies.
It is important to note that determining fault can be more complicated than it might seem. If your child was injured and you believe someone else is fully or partially to blame, contact Chalik & Chalik to learn more about your rights.
Study warns not to underestimate birth injury risk for second-time mothers Researchers have claimed doctors should not assume that a mother who has previously undergone a vaginal delivery is exempt from the risk of her subsequent babies sustaining brachial plexus birth injuries. A recent study analyzed all brachial plexus birth injuries that occurred between October 2003 and March 2013 at an academic medical institution. There were...
Car Accident While Pregnant: Is my baby okay? For expecting mothers, nothing is more traumatizing than the thought of losing an unborn child. If you’ve been in a car accident while pregnant, you may have fears about whether or not your baby is going to be okay. After a car accident when pregnant, you should seek medical attention immediately. If either you or...
Florida resident files birth defect lawsuit against Pfizer A resident of Florida has filed a birth defect lawsuit against Pfizer, the manufacturer of Zoloft, an antidepressant. The plaintiff alleges that the drug caused her daughter to have a birth defect. The plaintiff further claims that Pfizer neglected to sufficiently test Zoloft as well as failed to warn consumers and physicians of the potential...
Florida Birth Injury Lawyer Explains Who To Contact and When Florida birth injury lawyer Debi Chalik recently sat down with Jesse Wojdylo to discuss the basics of a birth injury, the signs a parent should look for in their newborn, and who to go to for advice and help in filing a birth injury lawsuit against the doctor or hospital.
What Are Some Types of Palsy Resulting from Birth Injuries in Infants? What Are Some Types of Palsy Resulting from Birth Injuries in Infants? Injury during the birthing process can lead to certain types of palsy including: Erb’s: A type of paralysis from injury to the arm’s upper nerves. Klumpke’s: A type of paralysis from damage to the forearm or hand. Brachial Plexus: Injury of the spinal...
If My Child Suffered A Birth Injury, How Do I Know If A Medical Mistake Was Made? A birth injury can be devastating for the parents and have lifelong effects for the child. Many birth injuries lead to disabilities that require extensive care. In some cases, parents may wonder if a medical mistake was the cause of their child’s birth injury, but they are unsure how to proceed. Not every medical condition...
Should I Hire A Birth Injury Attorney? Parents of injured children often struggle with questions such as – Should I hire an attorney to pursue compensation in a birth injury claim? The answer depends on the extent and cause of the injury. An attorney can provide legal representation if a parent believes a doctor or hospital’s mistake caused a birth injury, such...
Can I file a birth injury lawsuit for Erb’s Palsy? Erb’s palsy can be the basis for a birth injury lawsuit. Erb’s palsy is one kind of brachial plexus palsy. It is a paralysis of the arm caused by an injury to the brachial plexus, a network of nerves in the neck that leads to nerves in the arm. Erb’s palsy causes lack of motion...