Medical Malpractice Information Center: __________________ Medical Misdiagnosis Maternal Obstetrics / Birth Complications Erb's Palsy Cerebral Palsy Common Birth Injuries The Most Common Causes of Birth Injuries and Cerebral Palsy Surgical Malpractice Military Medical Malpractice Nursing Home Neglect Frequently Asked Questions - Medical Malpractice Medical Malpractice Statistics

The exact cause of a birth injury and the condition of cerebral palsy may never be fully known. There are known however common risk factors that will indicate the likelihood for cerebral palsy.  And these indicators should sound alarms in the mind of your doctor or medical provider. Most medical complications and/or conditions in this arena are caused by a brain injury that occurs during pregnancy or the birthing or in the months/years following birth. A faulty development of or damage to motor areas in the brain that disrupt the brain's ability to control movement and posture, is the underlying issue in a cerebral palsy diagnosis.

A variety of conditions, complications or reasons can lead to this type of brain injury:

• Genetics or genetic conditions, that are inherited from the parents and/or problems with the blood supply to the brain and/or how the brain develops during the first 6 months of pregnancy, can be a factor to consider.
• An Oxygen Shortage - if the oxygen supply to the brain is abnormal or low at the time of birth, the infant can suffer hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a type of brain damage.
• Rh Incompatibility - this is a blood condition that causes the mother's own immune cells to attack the fetus.
• Severe Jaundice in the child following birth.
• Toxicity - drug or alcohol use during pregnancy.
• Kidney and urinary tract infections - can lead to brain damage within the fetus, in some cases.
• Exposure to certain infections including rubella, toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus can cause the condition.
• Severe trauma to the mother during the pendency of the pregnancy.

Common Malpractice errors made by healthcare professionals during delivery:

• Failure of the provider to declare fetal distress;
• Failure of the provider to diagnose and treat jaundice or meningitis;
• The provider's use of resuscitation (CPR) after birth;
• The use or misuse of forceps;
• The failure to consult a specialist;
• The doctor's failure to order a C-Section in a timely manner;
• The provider's excessive use of a vacuum extractor;
• The doctor's failure to detect a prolapsed umbilical cord reducing oxygen supply;
• The doctor's improper use of delivery forceps;
• The hospital staff or doctor's failure to properly read or respond to the babies vital signs;
• The failure by the medical providers to recognize and treat seizures following delivery.

Known Causes of Acquired Cerebral Palsy:

The condition of acquired cerebral palsy can be caused by: Brain Infections, Encephalitis, Meningitis and Head Injuries.

Unfortunately, negligent doctors and negligent medical providers cause devastation to thousands of families each and every year. If you are a parents of a child who is suffering from a birth injury you should contact our Law Firm. Call us toll free at 1-800-862-1260. Medical mistakes are responsible for hundreds of birth injury cases each year. It is only through the dedicated and thorough efforts of a legal and medical team that the cause can be ascertained. Call us at 1-800-862-1260