Cerebral Palsy Risk Factors

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of conditions affecting control of movement and posture. The characteristics of CP may vary widely between individuals depending on the degree and location of brain damage. Symptoms may range from mild to severe, and diagnostic techniques can help determine the extent of the condition.

While most doctors, nurses, midwives, and hospital technicians provide a high standard of care for their patients, unfortunately, many families are harmed by medical mistakes. Parents of a child suffering with cerebral palsy should contact an experienced cerebral palsy lawyer to research the cause of their child’s condition. Medical mistakes are responsible for many birth injury cases and it would be impossible for a parent, alone, to determine if medical malpractice caused their child’s injury. It is only through the dedicated and thorough efforts of a legal and medical team that the cause can be ascertained.

We are medical malpractice lawyers handling cerebral palsy lawsuits caused by negligent doctor error and mistakes. 1-877-MY-ADVOCATES (1-877-692-3862).

Risk Factors

Risk factors are variables that have been observed to have an effect on the diagnosis of medical conditions. Risk factors do not, by themselves, indicate that a condition will occur, nor does the lack of a risk factor mean that a condition will not occur. The presence of risk factors may simply point to an increased likelihood, not a certainty, for the development of cerebral palsy.

The following risk factors in parents, may increase the risk of cerebral palsy (CP) in their child:

  • If the Mother is over 40 years old, or younger than 20 years old;
  • If the Father is younger than 20 years old;
  • African-American ethnicity – cerebral palsy has a higher rate of incidence within the African-American community;

The following risk factors related to pregnancy or the delivery, may increase the risk of CP:

  • If the pregnancy is the first, or is the fifth or later in the family;
  • Twinning, or multiple child pregnancy, can lead to lower birth weights and/or prematurity – increasing the risk for CP;
  • Vaginal bleeding in the third trimester;
  • Low birth weight – under 5.7 pounds;
  • Premature birth, less than 37 weeks;
  • Breech birth;
  • Fetal Distress, respiratory or vascular problems during delivery;
  • Low Apgar score – infant heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color are each scored as 0 (low), 1 (intermediate), or 2 (normal) after delivery. A total score of 7-10 at 5 minutes is considered normal; 4-6, intermediate; and 0-3, low. Scores that remain low 10-20 minutes after delivery indicate increased risk for CP.
Additional risk factors for cerebral palsy include:
  • Rh or ABO blood type incompatibility between mother and child
  • Serious viral infections (ex., German Measles) during early pregnancy