Causes of cerebral palsy is not fully understood by medical professionals. It is known that if a brain injury occurs during fetal development the results can turn out to be cerebral palsy. Even if there was damage done to the brain of a newborn cerebral palsy can be the result of that injury. It is important to be aware of some cerebral palsy causes such as:

Mother’s Infections

If a mother gets an infection when she is pregnant, she is increasing the risk nine times that her child will have cerebral palsy. Some infections to be aware of are:

*Urinary tract infections

*Infections in the kidney or bladder

*Rubella

*Inflammation of the fetal membranes (amnion and chorion) due to a bacterial infection

*Toxoplasmosis: an infection caused by a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii.

Infections left untreated can result in your child having cerebral palsy, an incurable condition. You should seek medical attention if you think you have an infection and you are pregnant.

Prenatal/Neonatal Infections & Complications

Infection during prenatal/neonatal care puts your baby at a high risk of getting cerebral palsy because of some brain damage. Be aware of infections such as:

*Meningitis that is bacterial

*Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) due to virus

*Streptococcal infection, Group B

*Group B Herpes

*A whole-body inflammatory state due to infection

*Rh-induced hemolytic disease of the newborn

*Infant jaundice that is severe

Complications are hard to figure in out how it actually results in cerebral palsy. Medical staff do know that prenatal infections very well may lead to an early delivery. There is more evidence to show that infections can trigger brain damage, resulting in cerebral palsy.

Low Birth Weight or Premature Birth

Another factor that can contribute to the condition, cerebral palsy is low birth weight or having your baby too early. A baby born before 37 weeks of development has a higher risk for cerebral palsy.

The risk is higher too if the baby was born at a low birth weight. In these cases the baby does not have a strong enough defense system. When they get sick they usually end up in the hospital for care.

Some factors that will put your baby at risk to premature birth/low birth weight are: smoking; drug/alcohol use; stress; abnormal cervix; having twins or triplets prior to current pregnancy.

Medical Malpractice and Birth Injuries

It is important to know that cerebral palsy is not always inherited. Your child can suffer damage to the brain during labor and delivery then resulting in cerebral palsy. These types of damages should have been prevented if the proper procedures were followed.

Unfortunately mistakes happen and the damages are overwhelming. Families have legal rights when an error takes place resulting in their babys irreversible condition. If this has happened to you, contact a cerebral palsy attorney right away. Some injuries include: Not enough oxygen; Infections are not treated in a timely manner; Signs of stress were not noticed; Use of forceps was used incorrectly.

These medical errors are usually unintentional but what families go through for the rest of their childs life is devastating. The costs of treatments are financially draining and families have the right to recover some of the losses. There are laws to protect families of a child with cerebral palsy. Contact a cerebral palsy attorney because they can advise you of your legal options and what is best for your child.

When to Talk to a Cerebral Palsy Attorney

Caring for a child with cerebral palsy is costly. The cost of treatments, therapies, medications, surgeries and other related expenses are overwhelming. It can cost a family over $500,000 to treat your child over a lifetime. A cerebral palsy attorney can help you recover losses you have suffered such as lost wages, treatments for your child and even pain and suffering. If you think your child suffered damage to the brain resulting in cerebral palsy then get in touch with a cerebral palsy attorney. They are experienced in these kinds of cases and they have resources to help you get the compensation you deserve.

For more on the topic of cerebral palsy causes you can read the articles and news available on the Cerebral Palsy Law Blog.