Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood. World-wide populations report estimates of between 1.5 and 4 children with cerebral palsy for every 1,000 live births. Roughly 1 in every 323 children (age 8) in the U.S. are born with the disorder.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Cerebral Palsy
As stated, 1 out of every 323 8 year olds in America were reported to have cerebral palsy.
Of these children, the following details were revealed:
- CP was more common in boys than in girls
- CP was more common for certain races
- Most children with CP had spastic or stiff muscles
- Over half of children with CP were able to walk by themselves
- A majority of children with CP had at least one co-occurring condition
Cerebral Palsy Risk Factors
Certain conditions soon after birth or in utero can increase the chances of a child being born with CP.
These risk factors may include the following:
- Low birth weight and premature birth
- Interruption of blood and oxygen flow to the developing brain
- Infections in mothers
- Birth defects of the central nervous system or brain
- Brain injuries to motor vehicle crashes or falls and infections such as meningitis
If you suspect someone's negligence caused Cerebral Palsy or other problems in your child's development, call the Georgia birth injury lawyers at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC today.