How to tell if your child has Cerebral Palsy

4500 children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year in the United States. 5 to 10 percent of those children suffer their injury as a result of doctor or nursing error.

Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the motor areas of the brain, usually occurring before, during or shortly after birth. Common signs and symptoms in cases caused by doctor or nursing errors include:

• The infant has seizures shortly after birth.

• The child has stiff or spastic leg muscles and to a lesser degree, in the arms during first years of life.

• The child has difficulty: grasping objects; walking; speaking; holding head up.

• The child has involuntary movements such as uncontrollable writhing, motion of the hands, or drooling.

• The child has mental impairment.

• The child does not develop bowel control.

These conditions are static; that is, they do not improve over time, nor do they become worse.

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© 1999 CHARFOOS & CHRISTENSEN, P.C.
Updated: June, 1999