Can Cerebral Palsy be Prevented?

Can Cerebral Palsy be Prevented?

Any baby can be born with cerebral palsy or it can develop early in life for various reasons. Medical malpractice is one reason why a child develops cerebral palsy, which means that the doctor or the nurse did not handle the baby’s delivery properly. So, can cerebral palsy be prevented?

Common Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Some of the most common causes of cerebral palsy include the following:

• An unknown cause or condition limits the supply of blood to the brain while the baby is in the womb
• The mother suffers an infection while pregnant, which leads to the baby developing cerebral palsy
• The infant, after being born, develops an infection that leads to inflammation near or in the brain
• The mother, while pregnant, abuses drugs or alcohol
• The child’s brain suffers an injury during a fall or an accident
• The brain of the baby does not receive enough oxygen due to a difficult childbirth

Tips for Preventing Cerebral Palsy

It is possible for parents to prevent the development of cerebral palsy, especially if the mother takes the following steps:

• The woman should refrain from drug use, alcohol use, and smoking while pregnant and even while trying to get pregnant
• If you are experiencing an unusual amount of stress you should talk with a doctor or other professional
• Eating disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, high blood pressure and diabetes should all be treated appropriately prior to and during pregnancy
• Make sure you are up to date on all of your shots prior to getting pregnant to prevent contraction of diseases like rubella
• While pregnant you need to wash your hands regularly
• See a doctor if you develop a fever while pregnant
• Check your blood type and the baby’s blood type. If they are different there is medication that can help prevent problems

Preventing Cerebral Palsy After Birth

There are steps you can take to prevent cerebral palsy after birth and they include the following:

• Have your child vaccinated, especially against encephalitis and meningitis
• Have the baby checked for jaundice prior to leaving the hospital after giving birth
• Babyproof your entire home, including at the top and bottom of stairs to prevent falls
• Ensure the child is properly secured into the correct car seat for the child’s age and size

Was your child diagnosed with cerebral palsy after birth? You may have a medical malpractice case on your hands if the doctor who delivered your baby did not do everything possible to make for a safe delivery. Contact the office of Berger & Lagnese, LLC today to schedule a consultation about your case.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.

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