Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy Explained by Our Oregon Birth Injury Lawyers

What are the Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy?  Understanding CP from our Oregon Birth Injury Lawyers

 

Cerebral palsy, also known as CP, is a devastating diagnosis for any parent to hear.  Our Oregon birth injury lawyers know this to be true after handling birth injury cases.  According to the CDC, cerebral palsy is defined as a disorder or group of disorders that affect ta person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture.  It breaks down to “cerebral” meaning the brain and “palsy” meaning weakness or problems.  Thus, individuals with cerebral palsy will have difficulty with movement, weakness, and coordination due to weakness or problems in the brain.

 

The issues and problems with the brain are commonly caused during the rapid development of the brain before, during, or immediately after the birthing process.  This is because the brain is rapidly expanding and needs heavy oxygen supply.  When there are gaps or deficiencies in the oxygen supply, it can result in damage to the brain in the form of lesions.  These lesions are areas of the brain where tissue does not properly develop.  When these lesions are on the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and other parts of the brain that govern motor movement, that is what typically causes cerebral palsy.

 

Diagnosing Cerebral Palsy

 

It is not easy to diagnose cerebral palsy.  In fact, sometimes CP is not diagnosed under two years of age.  Thus, our Oregon birth injury lawyers know that it can be difficult to prove damage in a cerebral palsy case due to medical malpractice.  The way that a physician typically diagnoses CP is based on what you report to him or her during wellness checks.

 

A physician will then review what the symptoms are and begin to perform tests.  These tests are typically examinations and physical evaluations rather than more invasive tests or imaging studies.  However, if there are severe concerns or very damaging types of CP possibly present, a physician may order MRIs, cranial ultrasounds, EEGs, and other laboratory tests.  Sometimes other tests such vision, hearing, speed, cognitive, and development can be done.

 

Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy: Oregon Birth Injury Lawyers Explain

 

There are some early warning signs of CP that you should be aware of.  If you see these signs, make sure to document them and tell you physician as soon as possible.  The more information you have, the better that your child’s physician can review and diagnose him or her.  Some of the most important and obvious warning signs our Oregon birth injury lawyers want you to know include the following:

 

• a baby’s inability to lift his or her head at the appropriate age of development (huge warning sign)
• Loose and flaccid muscles
• Extreme muscle development or hypertonia
• Stiffness in joints
• Difficulty swallowing
• Uncontrolled drooling
• Poor balance
• Involuntary movements or tremors
• Difficulty with fine motor movements such as picking up food or grasping at fingers, toys, or other things
• Inability to walk and delays in walking at the appropriate age of development
• Delays in meeting milestones like walking, crawling, rolling over, sitting up, and similar things, and
• Other odd symptoms or inabilities.  

 

If Your Loved One Was Diagnosed With Cerebral Palsy, Call Us

 

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover. 

 

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.  

 

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.

 

Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.