Moderate Cerebral Palsy in Children
Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term used to describe a group of disorders affecting muscle tone, movement, speech, and more. Most cases of cerebral palsy are categorized as moderate, though others can be mild or severe.
Moderate cerebral palsy is generally not debilitating, but the symptoms can interfere with a child’s quality of life. The best course of action following a moderate cerebral palsy diagnosis is to work with your child’s doctors to come up with a comprehensive treatment plan.
Moderate Cerebral Palsy
Treatment of Moderate Cerebral Palsy
Children born with moderate cerebral palsy may need assistive devices for mobility, a comprehensive physical therapy regimen, as well as medication in order to treat and/or alleviate the physical symptoms of CP.
Leg braces can help in cases where a child suffers from poor muscle tone, making it hard for them to support their body weight. Medication (such as Botox) can help in reducing spasticity so that children are able to use their hands more-effectively and hold items without dropping them. In addition, children with moderate cerebral palsy may need anti-seizure medications to minimize the risk of further brain injury.
Children with moderate CP often suffer from acid reflux, so antacids may also be needed on a day-to-day basis. In addition, people with moderate CP may suffer from digestive problems since muscles controlling peristalsis and the movement of food through the digestive system may be affected.
Treatment can be expensive, and it’s not uncommon for families to rack up hundreds of thousands in medical bills caring for a child with moderate cerebral palsy.
Finding the Root Cause
It can be challenging to get a clear answer as to why your child suffered a birth injury that led to the development of cerebral palsy, and doctors are not eager to open themselves up to a medical malpractice claim by admitting any that any mistakes were made.
If you have questions as to what led to your child’s brain injury, we recommend discussing your case with a cerebral palsy lawyer who offers free consultations. No one can tell you definitively whether or not your child’s injury could have been prevented without a thorough examination of the medical records, but hiring an attorney is often the best way to discover whether or not you have a potential lawsuit on your hands.