Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a term that describes a group of disorders that affect the brain’s ability to control body movement.  There are several causes of cerebral palsy but frequently it is caused by injury to the brain before, during, or just after birth.  Cerebral palsy may also be acquired after childbirth by any event that causes damage to the brain.  Specifically, cerebral palsy is caused by lack of oxygen to the brain.

Lack of Oxygen to the Brain

Hospitals, doctors and nurses caring for a laboring mother have a responsibility to make sure that the baby is receiving enough oxygen during labor and delivery and thereafter.  If the health care providers don’t take the required steps to ensure that the baby gets enough oxygen, they have committed medical malpractice, and they and their insurance companies can be held accountable for the outcome.  Sometimes lack of oxygen to the baby is caused by failure to perform a timely cesarean section, a failure to deliver the infant when the membranes have been ruptured for too long, excessive use of Pitocin or a vacuum extractor, trauma to the head during labor and delivery, or failure to have a pediatrician present at delivery.  A vaginal birth after the mother has already had a caesarean section (VBAC) is also potentially dangerous in some circumstances.

Signs of Brain Damage in a Baby

Doctors will suspect that there has been a brain injury if the baby is floppy or has poor color at birth; if the baby needs resuscitation shortly after birth because he or she is not breathing; if the baby has a poor ability to suck after birth or maintain body temperature; or if he or she develops seizures.  Another sign of possible brain injury is any baby who was born full-term but did not go home at the same time as his or her mother.  These babies tend to be admitted to a NICU for some period of time.  Sometimes, doctors order MRIs of the baby’s brain to see if there is brain damage.