Cerebral Palsy is a term used to describe a variety of different neurological disorders involving problems with muscle function, muscle tone, and other serious disabilities. An infant gets Cerebral Palsy when there is damage done to the brain. The damage can be inflicted by an infection contracted by the mother while the baby is in the uterus or directly after birth. It can also happen from a medical error during birth. When a doctor needs to exert more than usual force to get a baby out of the birth canal, there is a chance that the force or the instruments the physician uses to assist them may cause irrevocable brain damage.

A diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy is often difficult to make during its earliest stages. Some of the signs and symptoms are so slight that it may take months or years to recognize that a child has the disorder. Some of the more minor signs may be when a child has difficulty holding a pair of scissors, when he or she is not able to hold a crayon or marker easily, or if he or she has a difficult time buttoning his or her shirt. When a child does not learn to sit up or walk within the normal time frame, it is cause for concern. If a child has seizures or leg jerks, a visit to the doctor is definitely warranted. Only an experienced physician or a specialist such as a neurologist will be able to give a parent a definite diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy.

A diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy is not made overnight, however. There are many steps physicians take before labeling your child with the disability. To begin, doctors will take a complete history, including a family history from the parents. A physician will then question the parents on the developmental milestones the child has attained. Has he or she learned to sit up yet, had problems learning to suck, when did he or she first roll over, or does he or she hold his or her hands in tight fists frequently?

The doctor will then do a complete physical examination. The physician will test the child’s motor skills, posture, and weight bearing capability. The physician will pay close attention to how the body reacts to certain postures and if the child favors one side over the other. More tests may be necessary to rule out other diseases or medical conditions that could be causing the child’s problems. A CT scan may be ordered so that the doctor or neurologist can examine the child’s brain to see if there are any blockages or masses present. An MRI may also be ordered. This test is similar to a CT scan but is more detailed, showing the different layers of the human brain and allowing the radiologist a much better view of the arteries and brain tissue. Intelligent tests may also be ordered if the child is old enough to complete them. These tests will allow the doctors to see if there is any other brain damage that will affect the child’s mental capabilities. A diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy will only be given after a complete round of tests has been done and evaluated along with a review of the mother’s pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

A diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy may mean that the family needs to make some definite changes. Physical or speech therapy may be necessary to help the child as it matures and medical bills for testing and therapy can be considerably expensive. If there is a possibility that your child’s Cerebral Palsy was brought on by an injury that occurred during birth or by a mistake made by a physician, you should contact an attorney. Attorneys that are experienced in birth injury litigation are best capable of advising you of your rights and options when filing a medical malpractice lawsuit.