Cerebral Palsy Prevention

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Cerebral palsy prevention isn’t always possible, but parents can minimize many risk factors. Medical professionals can also help reduce the chances of cerebral palsy by detecting and treating health issues in the mother, during labor, and in the newborn.

Can Cerebral Palsy Be Prevented?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent cerebral palsy. However, there are many known risk factors. Reducing those risk factors can significantly reduce the risk a child will have cerebral palsy. 

Cerebral palsy cannot be prevented entirely because there is no single cause. There are often multiple factors at play. In some cases, there is no way to know why a child developed cerebral palsy.

Parents-to-be should be aware of the risk factors for cerebral palsy and take steps to mitigate them.

Reducing Risk Factors for Cerebral Palsy During Pregnancy

There are many things you can do to help your baby during pregnancy. Although nothing can guarantee that your child will not develop cerebral palsy, the following steps can help reduce the risk:

• Work with your doctor to control any underlying health issues, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date.
• Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and drugs.
• Get early prenatal care.
• Get tested for Rh factor to address any blood type incompatibilities between you and the developing fetus.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a flu shot can protect mothers and babies before and after birth.[1]

Cerebral Palsy Prevention During Labor and Child Birth

Before childbirth, learn as much as possible about the process and steps your hospital and doctor will take. Choosing the right doctor and hospital, if possible, is vital to help you feel as comfortable as possible with your medical care.

Your baby will likely be hooked up to a fetal monitoring device when you go into labor. It will allow healthcare professionals to determine if the baby has any underlying issues that must be addressed.[2]

Catching fetal distress in time can potentially help prevent issues, such as oxygen deprivation, which can lead to cerebral palsy.

Further, if you have any discomfort during childbirth, try to communicate the problems immediately to your medical care team. This could potentially help reduce injuries leading to cerebral palsy and other medical issues.

Keep in mind that sometimes, things will be out of your control, and it’s up to medical professionals to ensure a healthy delivery. Medical negligence, such as waiting too long to schedule and carry out an emergency C-section, can lead to several problems, including health issues that can lead to cerebral palsy.

Other forms of medical negligence can include failure to monitor you and your baby correctly during labor, leading to medical issues that can cause cerebral palsy.

In these instances, consider contacting an experienced cerebral palsy attorney if your baby develops CP due to medical negligence.

Cerebral Palsy Prevention After Childbirth

One of the causes of cerebral palsy after childbirth is jaundice. Sometimes, jaundice is mild, but the severe form can cause kernicterus if not treated. Kernicterus can cause cerebral palsy, but the disorder can be prevented with proper treatment.

Kernicterus is a type of brain damage resulting from high bilirubin levels in the bloodstream.[3] Outward symptoms include the baby’s skin turning a yellowish or orange color.

Other signs of jaundice can include:

• The baby won’t breastfeed or suck from a bottle.
• The baby is excessively fussy.
• The baby is hard to wake up.
• The baby doesn’t sleep well.

If you suspect your baby may have jaundice, seek medical treatment immediately.

Another way to help prevent cerebral palsy after childbirth is to keep your baby up to date on vaccinations. CDC reports that cerebral palsy could occur if babies aren’t vaccinated against infections that could potentially cause encephalitis and meningitis.

Certain things will be out of your control during childbirth, so choosing a doctor and hospital you are comfortable with is essential.

For example, if healthcare professionals notice medical issues with your baby after birth, it’s up to them to administer the correct treatment as soon as possible. Doctors are trained to detect severe jaundice, breathing issues, and other signs that an infant is in distress.

Before leaving the hospital, CDC suggests asking the doctor about testing for jaundice and bilirubin. Doctors administer the test by placing a light meter on the infant’s head, showing the Transcutaneous Bilirubin (TcB) levels. Doctors typically order blood tests if the TcB levels are high.

Take measures to protect your baby from traumatic injuries. A blow to the head from a fall or car accident could cause damage in their developing brains that leads to cerebral palsy.

Could My Child’s Cerebral Palsy Have Been Prevented?

In many cases of cerebral palsy, there was nothing the mother or her medical team could have done to anticipate or prevent cerebral palsy. In other cases, doctors or other medical professionals made mistakes that factored into the child’s brain damage and resulting cerebral palsy.

If you believe your child’s cerebral palsy could have been prevented with better medical care, you might have a case for medical malpractice. Contact a cerebral palsy lawyer to learn more about your options.