Neurologists Report New Potential Sign of Cerebral Palsy
Pregnant Philadelphia women have a new tool to assess whether their child may develop neurological or cognitive problems. Neurologists have reported that children born with small heads (microcephaly) may have a higher risk of developing cerebral palsy, epilepsy, cognitive delays, learning disabilities, mental retardation, and eye and ear disorders.
Each year almost 30,000 children in the United States are born with a head circumference smaller than that of 97 percent of children. The condition is referred to microcephaly in the medical community and can be diagnosed somewhere between birth and the age of two. While not a problem in and of itself, forty percent of children with microcephaly also have epilepsy, twenty percent also have cerebral palsy, 50 percent also have mental retardation and 20 to 50 percent also have eye and ear problems.
Parents of children with microcephaly should have their pediatricians observe and evaluate their children for possible neurological conditions. Diagnostic tests such as MRIs or CT scans may be used to test children for the neurological conditions associated with microcephaly. Microcephaly presents with serious conditions that may require a lifetime of care and treatment. The earlier a child is diagnosed with a neurological condition such as cerebral palsy, the sooner the proper care, treatment and resources can be obtained. Even if a small head circumference runs in your family it is important that your child is evaluated and tested. Fortunately, not all children with microcephaly will develop health issues or have learning disabilities.
Early diagnosing of cerebral palsy is important and beneficial to children and their parents for early intervention. Currently most children with cerebral palsy are not diagnosed until parents recognize that their children have failed to reach normal developmental milestones often somewhere between their first and third birthdays. However recognizing microcephaly in children at birth can better assist parents and doctors in early recognition and intervention. While there is no known cure for cerebral palsy there are many opportunities available to parents to assist and provide for the care and treatment their children's disabilities and treatment options. Whether your child suffers from spastic, athetoid, ataxic or mixed cerebral palsy early recognition with microcephaly at birth may assist in earlier diagnosis, care and treatment. In the future earlier recognition and assessment of neurological conditions in children will lead to earlier treatment interventions.
If you believe that your child suffers from cerebral palsy or other associated neurological conditions that may be the result of a doctor or hospital's negligence please contact our experienced attorneys today to discuss your case.
Related Web Sources:
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
