A recent study of more than 700,000 births found that infant deaths and admission to the neonatal intensive care units were 32 to 47 percent higher during night time deliveries.
These numbers were in line with all admissions in to the intensive care units leading researches to the conclusion that the cause may be that staff fatigue or experience level may be a factor.
In honor of father’s day please enjoy the story of Rick and Dick Hoyt; A father that runs triathlons with his son Rick who has cerebral palsy, but the story is about much more than that. Happy Fathers Day!
The following video features an iphone app to assist children with cerebral palsy communicate.
Last month a Jury in Delaware handed down a $ 6.5 million medical malpractice verdict for a child with cerebral palsy. The plaintiffs alleged that the doctors failed to properly treat a child with elevated bilirubin levels and jaundice.
The child was born without any complications and sent home, however, the doctors failed to check the child’s bilirubin levels. Four days later the mother brought the child back to the hospital after the child began to have a “yellowish” color. Only then was the child diagnosed and treated for being jaundice.
Here, the doctors should have checked the child’s bilirubin levels and treated the child with phototherapy and if necessary blood transfusions prior to sending him home.
Jaundice is condition where bilirubin’s build up in the blood. When these bilirubin levels get excessively high the child is at risk for brain damage and developing cerebral palsy. If treated promptly this condition has an outstanding success rate.
If you believe your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by jaundice please call us for a free consultation.
Last month a jury returned a verdict of $29 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit involving a child with cerebral palsy.
The lawsuit alleged that doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois failed to treat an infection in the mother prior to her delivery. This untreated infection caused brain damage to the child resulting in cerebral palsy.
If you or your child developed an infection that you think may have caused your child's cerebral palsy please give us a call for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Here is a list of some infections that can lead to cerebral palsy (note: this is just a short list many other infections can lead to cerebral palsy that are not on this list):
Infections in the mother during pregnancy:
Rubella (German measles)
Toxoplasmosis
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)/Kidney Infection
Chickenpox (varicella).
Cytomegalovirus.
Syphilis
Infections in the child after birth:
Meningitis
Viral encephalitis.
Earlier this month a jury delivered an $18.5 million verdict for a child with cerebral palsy.
The complaint alleged that the child, now 12 years old obtained brain damage due to a lack of oxygen at birth. The lack of oxygen was apparently evident on the fetal monitoring strips indicating the need for medical intervention in the way of an emergency c-section.
A lack of oxygen during birth is a very serious complication often resulting in a birth injury to the child. If your child suffered a lack of oxygen at birth please call our firm for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Recently a medical malpractice lawsuit involving a child with cerebral palsy was settled for $9.5 million.
The complaint alleged that the child was deprived of oxygen at birth and as a result the child developed cerebral palsy.
Happy Mother’s Day!!!
The following video discusses how a placental abruption can lead to a child suffering a lack of oxygen and developing cerebral palsy.
Placental abruptions are often secondary to hypertension and diabetes. It is imperative that these conditions are controlled properly to avoid harming the unborn child. In fact, in many instances a placental abruption could have been avoided if the doctor diagnosed and treated hypertension and diabetes properly.
The following video discusses how a placental abruption can lead to a child suffering a lack of oxygen and developing cerebral palsy.
Placental abruptions are often secondary to hypertension and diabetes. It is imperative that these conditions are controlled properly to avoid harming the unborn child. In fact, in many instances a placental abruption could have been avoided if the doctor diagnosed and treated hypertension and diabetes properly.
Cooling the brain shortly after a child suffers a lack of oxygen at birth drastically reduces the risk of permanent brain damage and cerebral palsy.
This video explains how the process works and demonstrates the procedure on a child that suffered a lack of oxygen at birth due to shoulder dystocia.
Alexandre Bilodeau may be remembered forever as the first Canadian to win a Gold Metal on home soil. For many of us, however, he will be remembered for something else.
Many Olympic stories are filled with inspiration but very few are as touching. Alex’s brother Frederic has cerebral palsy and has been Alex’s inspiration throughout his career.
In fact, when told that his chances of winning gold at the Olympics were slim Alex replied “Talk to my brother…the doctors told my parents he would not walk after the age of 10, and would be in a wheelchair the rest of his life…” today Frederic is still walking and skiing.
This story reminds everyone to not let anyone define a child’s limits and to discount what they say could be and constantly strive for what can be.
The following video futures Alex, Frederic and others discussing Cerebral Palsy
Researchers in at the Medical College of Georgia are conducting the first FDA approved stem cell study for children that suffer from cerebral palsy.
The researchers will study 40 children between the ages of 2 and 12 that have cerebral palsy. In order to qualify for the study the children must not be able to sit up by 12 months or unable to walk by 18 months.
Shoulder Dystocia is a dangerous situation for the child during birth. Shoulder dystocia can lead to cerebral palsy and Erb’s Palsy.
Shoulder dystocia occurs when the child’s shoulder gets such on the mother’s pubic bone. In most instances the child cannot be delivered without first dislodging the shoulder.
If this is not done properly the child may sustain an injury to a set of nerves called the brachial plexus. Injuries to the brachial plexus are often referred to as Erb’s Palsy. Children with Erb’s Palsy have limited dexterity in one or both arms.
In addition to injuring the child’s nerves, shoulder dystocia can also deprive the child of oxygen. Deprivation of oxygen to a child during birth can lead to the child sustaining brain damage and cerebral palsy.
If shoulder dystocia was encountered during your delivery and your child sustained an injury it is highly likely that medical malpractice played a role in your child’s injury and you should contact a lawyer immediately.
The following video demonstrates one of the maneuvers used to dislodge the child’s shoulder: the corkscrew maneuver.
This morning the Supreme Court of Illinois ruled that limits on damages to victims of medical malpractice are unconstitutional.
Today’s ruling has special importance to our firm because the case, Lebron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, 105741 and 105745, Supreme Court of the State of Illinois involved a child that sustained a brain injury at birth.
The video below give an inside look at UCP of Greater Birmingham’s Life Without Limits program for individuals with cerebral palsy.
To learn more about UCP of Greater Birmingham please visit their website at www.ucpbham.com
To find a local chapter of the UCP please visit their website at www.ucp.org
Over the past several years many doctors have used Botox to treat spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy. Recently, however, children with CP have suffered severe side effects and even death as a result of this treatment.
In fact, as many of you recall the FDA ordered a “black Box” warning on Botox due to its off label use for the treatment on individuals with cerebral palsy.
In California last week the family of a child that was given Botox to treat her spasticity and allegedly died as a result filed a medical malpractice lawsuit. The lawsuit states that Kristen Spears’ respiratory system was weakened by the drug which lead to respiratory failure, pneumonia and ultimately her death.
The American Academy of Neurology released new practice guidelines on effective treatments of spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy. The guidelines appear in the January 26, 2010 issue of academy's journal, Neurology.
The report list several treatments including Botulinum toxin type A, more commonly known as Botox and/or Dysport, as effective and generally safe to relieve spasticity. As many of you who follow my blog know, however, botox to treat spastisity is what is known as an “off-lable” use because the FDA has not approved botox for the use in treating spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy.
Furthermore, there have been complications and even deaths caused by the use of botox in children with cerebral palsy.
The article also list diazepam or Valium and tizanidine commonly known as Zanaflex or Sirdalud but states these drugs carry a higher risk.
These medications are just guidelines and not intended to be rules. Meaning that these are merely meant to keep neurologist up to date on the current medications used to treat spasticity caused by CP.
Ironically, there has not been a new drug approved by the FDA to treat spasticity in over 10 years.
On March 7, 2010 the 6th Annual Polar Bear Plunge will be held at Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay, New York.
This event will benefit individuals with cerebral palsy. All proceeds go to United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County.
Everyone is invited and there will be food and music.
For more information on participating or sponsoring please call (516) 378-2000, ext. 648 or visit www.ucpn.org.
The following video discusses two case studies of children being treated with cord blood stem cells to treat cerebral palsy.
The video explains how cord blood can help children with cerebral palsy, possible side effects and benefits that cord blood offers children with cerebral palsy.
For more information on umbilical cord blood stem cells and cerebral palsy and stroke please type “stem cells” in the search box of this blog.
Please enjoy the video.
As the New Year begins many of us have already strayed from our New Year’s resolutions.
Here is someone who hasn’t. Meet Eden Little, Eden is a single mother of three children with cerebral palsy. Her New Year’s resolution was to blog everyday (or close to it) about her daily life.
Great work so far and I look forward to reading more of your entries.
For more information on the Little Family and to read Eden’s Blog please visit their website at www.thelittlelife.net
This is a short video that provides a definition of cerebral palsy, causes of cerebral palsy and much more.
This House located, at 1582 Meyerwood Circle in Highlands Ranch, Colorado as over 35,000 lights that are computer controlled. They “dance” to music broadcast on 93.9FM.
Not only is this a fun time but it is for a great cause and 100% of the proceeds go to United Cerebral Palsy.
So don’t miss the show.
Lately there have been many discussions about video games such as Nintendo Wii being used as therapy for children with cerebral palsy.
The following video discuses how students at Virginia Commonwealth University in collaboration with Richmond’s Children’s Hospital devised a video game to be used by children with cerebral palsy as therapy.
The following video features Heel and Toe. Heel and Toes offers free conductive education to children with cerebral palsy.
For more information on Heel and Toe please visit their website.
Here is an article from CNN and the CDC stating that fewer states are experiencing widespread outbreaks of the Swine or H1N1 Flu.
As I stated in my previous posts the H1N1 flu poses an elevated risk for children with cerebral palsy.
For more information on the H1N1 flu and cerebral palsy please type H1N1 in the search box of this blog.
This video discusses cord blood stem cells and cerebral palsy. Here, a child undergoes cord blood stem cell treatment at Duke University after being diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
This video is part 2 of 2. Here a mother of a child with cerebral palsy talks about the importance of a medical malpractice lawsuit to compensate her family for the negligence that resulted in her son’s injury.
From everyone here at The Law Offices of Robert A. D’Iorio, PLLC; we want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving!
This video is part one of two. It features a mother of a child that suffers from cerebral palsy as a result of medical malpractice.
In this video the mother discusses her feelings about bring a medical malpractice lawsuit and why she feels it was important to do so.
For the second year in a row the U.S. receives a D on the March of Dimes Report Card for premature births.
Prematurity leads to many health conditions such as cerebral palsy. November is prematurity awareness month.
The video below discusses how the grading was performed, how individual States graded and improvements made over last year. The video also touches on the risk factors and health risks involved with children being born prematurity.
(the video starts at 38 seconds.)
November is Premature Awareness month. Being born early puts children at risk for developing many conditions including cerebral palsy.
When a child is born prematurely often their lungs may not be fully developed. This lack of pulmonary maturity can be very dangerous for the child.
Often, a delivery may have been prevented / delayed or medications should have been administered to help the child develop more rapidly. Failing to adhere to these standards of care may constitute medical malpractice.
To learn more about Prematurity Awareness Month please visit the March of Dimes website.
The video bellow id provided by the March of Dimes.
I have written in the past of David Sexton’s articles in the New York Times pertaining to his son’s cerebral palsy. This week David writes about going to a family wedding and discussing his child’s condition for the first time with family and friends.
As with his stories in the past David writes candidly about his life and the broad spectrum of emotions that he faces as he raises a child with cerebral palsy.
Here is a link to the article and to see David Sexton’s previous essay’s type in “David Sexton” in the search box of this blog.
Last month a New York Jury delivered a $77 million dollar verdict for a child that suffered a lack of oxygen at birth that allegedly caused the child to develop cerebral palsy.
The lawsuit alleged that after noticing signs of fetal distress the doctors and hospital staff attempted a vaginal delivery rather than performing a c-section. According to the lawsuit his delay caused the child to suffer brain damage.
Here is another more in-depth look at the progress made Chloe Levin. As I stated in my previous post Chloe Levin was born with cerebral palsy and underwent a cord blood transfusion. The video explains the process and shows Chloe’s progress.
If you would like more information on cord blood stem cells please see some of my previous post on the topic by typing “stem cells” in the search box of this blog.
The video below is a news clip of Chloe Levine. Chloe Levine was born with cerebral palsy which affected her motor skills.
Chloe’s parents banked her own cord blood and used it to treat her condition. This video shows
Chloe before and after the cord blood stem cells were used to treat her cerebral palsy.
As you can see there has been tremendous progress made!!
This is Part 2 of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) 60 years and Onward celebration, documenting the history of the UCP and the efforts made to benefit people with cerebral palsy.
This video celebrates United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) 60 years and Onward. It documents the history and growth of the UCP and its efforts to help people with cerebral palsy.
The following video discusses the potential benefits of cooling treatment on children that have suffered a lack of oxygen at birth. Cooling the child’s brain after a lack of oxygen occurs is believed to mitigate brain damage and cerebral palsy.
The video below discusses preeclampsia the warning signs symptoms and risks.
Preeclampsia can be very dangerous is not handled properly. It can lead to a placental abruption. A placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the uterine wall.
When this occurs the child may be deprived of oxygen which can result in the child developing cerebral palsy.
The following video stresses that inclusive education provides benefits for everyone involved.
The video below is a clip of the documentary Including Samuel by Photojournalist Dan Habib. Including Samuel focuses on a child with cerebral palsy and his daily life and education.
This is a great film and a must see for anyone interested in cerebral palsy.
More information can be found on their website.
A placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the uterine wall. A placental abruption poses a great risk for the mother and the child and can lead to cerebral palsy.
A placental abruption can be caused by several factors including hypertension and preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a condition during pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine.
If your doctor fails to monitor your blood pressure or preeclampsia properly this could lead to a placental abruption and damage to both the mother and the child. It is likely the negligence in failing to monitor high blood pressure or preeclampsia or even failing to diagnosis preeclampsia could be the basis of a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Additionally, failing to perform a c-section in time after a placental abruption occurs could be the foundation of a medical malpractice lawsuit. This is because the doctor should have recognized the abruption and the severity of the abruption and acknowledged the danger to the child by delivering the child immediately.
The Video below discusses the dangers of a placental abruption as well as how a placental abruption occurs.
The following video is a news clip discussing cord blood stem cell transplants for children with cerebral palsy and children that suffered a stroke.
The following is a short video discussing United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Central Arizona. The video features UCP employees discussing their experiences at United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Central Arizona and how parents of children with cerebral palsy feel about UCP.
Last Friday a California judge approved a medical malpractice lawsuit settlement for a child that sustained a birth injury that resulted in cerebral palsy.
The lawsuit alleged that the doctor and medical staff at the University of California Davis failed to recognize signs of fetal distress. As a result of the negligence the child suffered brain damage.
The lawsuit alleged that Tiffany Busone, now 24 suffered a lack of oxygen at birth that resulted in her developing cerebral palsy. Since her birth injury Busone, a recent Arizona State University graduate, has been confided to a wheelchair.
Tiffany’s medical malpractice lawsuit compensation breaks down as follows $20 million for her home aides and care, $15 million for future pain and suffering $6 million for past pain and suffering and the remainder of the $43 million will go to lost income.
The statute of limitations or time limit on bring claims was not an issue in this case because the plaintiffs mother filed suit before the statute of limitations expired.
If you have questions regarding the statute of limitations in your child’s case please call and ask for me directly as soon as possible to avoid having the claim barred by the statute of limitations.
The following is an informational video provided by United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Hudson County New Jersey.
The video demonstrates how UCP can benefit children and adults with cerebral palsy and other special needs.
Doctors at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri recently performed a new surgery on a 3 year old with spastic cerebral palsy. Prior to the surgery the young girl had great difficulty getting around. Doctors hope that after the surgery the child will be able to walk freely.
The surgery includes making an incision on the child’s lower back and severing the nerve responsible for the spasticity in the lower extremities. Shortly after the surgery the child will have to learn to walk all over but, in time, is expected to make a significant recovery.
Here is a link to the article and a link to a video that shows the child before and after the surgery and how the surgery is performed.
A recent study conducted by the Division of Clinical Sciences & Medical Research at the Imperial College of London and Dr. Denis Azzopardi found that “cooling” a child that suffered a lack of oxygen at birth significantly decreases the incidence of cerebral palsy.
The study titled Total Body Hypothermia for Neonatal Encephalopathy Trial (TOBY), found that babies with perinatal asphyxial encephalopathy (lack of oxygen leading to brain damage and cerebral palsy) are 56 percent less likely to develop cerebral palsy or any neurological damage if their body temperature was dropped to 33.5 C shortly after birth. This is done in an incubator by placing a liquid cooling blanket over the child for 72 hours.
This is a very important study because lack of oxygen is a major cause of cerebral palsy. This study indicates that over half of the children that have cerebral palsy as a result of a lack of oxygen would have avoided any long term neurological damage as a result of the lack of oxygen. Further testing needs to be done, but the results of this test look very promising.
This is part 2 of the Table for 12 series featuring hippotherapy for children with cerebral palsy.
This is part 2 of the Table for 12 series featuring hippotherapy for children with cerebral palsy.
The following video is the first of a two part series from the television program Table for 12. It features a family taking their child with cerebral palsy to hippotherapy or horse therapy for the first time.
Hippotherapy is therapy using a horse to strengthen the core muscles and improve balance.
For more information on hippotherapy please see my previous posts by using the search box in my blog.
Placenta previa is a dangerous condition for both the mother and the child. Placenta previa that occurs during pregnancy.
Placenta previa occurs when the placenta forms low on the uterine wall completely of partially covering the cervix.
When the cervix prepares for delivery the placenta may separate and cause severe bleeding and a placental abruption. A placental abruption is defined by the placenta separating from the uterine wall.
When a placental abruption occurs there may be severe bleeding and a lack of oxygen to the child. This lack of oxygen to the child may cause brain damage and cerebral palsy.
Placenta previa should be easily diagnosed and precautions should be taken by your doctor to avoid any harm to you and/or your child. Failure to do so may constitute malpractice.
If you believe your child may have been injured as a result of a placental abruption or placental previa don’t hesitate to call me to discuss your options.
Below is a video from Rescue 911 featuring a woman that suffered a placental abruption and placental previa.
I wanted to let everyone know about a great resource for children and adults with cerebral palsy, Cerebral Palsy Magazine. Cerebral Palsy Magazine addresses a variety of issues associated with cerebral palsy.
The magazine comes out quarterly and contains articles written by parents for parents, adults with cerebral palsy, doctors, nurses and many more authorities.
Cerebral Palsy Magazine is the only magazine in the country dedicated exclusively to cerebral palsy. The magazine can be downloaded online, and is offered as a print version and on CD.
Having worked with the people who make the Magazine possible I would like to thank them for all they do; their courtesy, compassion, professionalism and their commitment to the cause create a synergy that makes the Cerebral Palsy Magazine such a great resource.
Thank you and keep up the great work!
Here is a link to their website.
The video below discusses some ways parents may help their child with cerebral palsy and/or a brain injury.
The video was made by the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential.
Their website offers literature, seminars and videos. Here is the link.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a great organization with local chapters throughout the country. UCP helps children and adults with many types of special needs including cerebral palsy.
The goal of UCP is to advance the productivity, independence, and full citizenship of people with disabilities.
For more information please visit their website.
The video below is a short profile of United Cerebral Palsy.
In the video below a mother discusses the improvements in her child shortly after receiving stem cells for the treatment of cerebral palsy.
In the video below Dr. LaPook discusses the new use of skin stem cells in treating patients with conditions such as cerebral palsy.
Skin stem cells may offer many benefits of embryonic stem cells without the ethical and legal dilemmas.
Although this technology first came out in the fall of 2007 research is still being performed at institutions such as UCLA and appears to be promising.
In the video below William H. Macy introduces United Cerebral Palsy’s My child Without Limits.
My child Without Limits is designed to be a resource for families of children 0-5 with cerebral palsy and developmental delays. Also, My child Without Limits offers the benefits of social networking.
For more information please visit their website.
The American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society recently released new guidelines for children born with microcephaly. The guidelines include early testing of children with microcephaly
New research suggests that children born with microcephaly or a head that measures less than 97 percent of the population are at a higher risk of developing neurological problems and cerebral palsy.
In fact, 20 percent of the children born with microcephaly will develop cerebral palsy.
In order to provide the best treatment it is recommended that children with microcephaly get tested using an MRI or CT scan at an early age.
It is worth noting that although the study recommends testing all children with microcephaly it does not suggest that all children with microcehpaly will develop neurological problems.
The video below features a mother discussing how her child with cerebral palsy has benefited from stem cell therapy. She discusses how her child was prior to the therapy and his condition today.
Furthermore the video documents the child’s progress and growth.
The following video discusses the current benefits of stem cell therapy for children with cerebral palsy as well as future applications of stem cells for treatment.
Additionally, the video explains the difference between umbilical cord blood stem cells, embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
New data out of Arizona suggests the swine flu may pose a significant risk to children with cerebral palsy.
In Arizona, where the data was pooled 21 people have died so far. 15 of the deaths were adults and the other 6 were children and all 6 of the children had cerebral palsy.
This would suggest a possible link of great magnitude.
Please click here for the whole article.
In the following video Katie Couric discusses the meaning, history and origin of Labor Day.
Please enjoy the video and have a happy and safe Labor Day!
A new treatment is being researched at the University of Texas to help children with cerebral palsy. The focus of the study is to help children with cerebral palsy improve their speech.
The study being conducted by the Speech And Communication Exploration (SPACE) lab will explore how the movements of the mouth including the tongue and lip of children with cerebral palsy compare to children without cerebral palsy.
Here is the link to the full article.
In this video a family shares their journey to provide treatment for a child with cerebral palsy. Their journey leads them to Duke University to receive umbilical cord stem cell treatment for their child.
The video below is a trailer for the documentary Beyond Limits.
Beyond Limits is a film about Bonner Paddock and his determination to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. As if this task was not hard enough Bonner Paddock has cerebral palsy.
Although not a mountain climber by his own admission, Bonner sets his goals on Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness about cerebral palsy and raise funds for children with cerebral palsy.
For more information about Bonner Paddock and his quest please visit the website.
The United cerebral Palsy of central Arizona will be hosting a screening of the film Shooting Beauty on September 17th 2009.
The film Shooting Beauty is a documentary shot over ten years depicting of the world of beauty in photography and life of people living with cerebral palsy.
I have not yet seen the film its entirety but I am eagerly looking forward to seeing it. Below is the trailer for the movie.
For more information on the film and the UCP of Central Arizona screening please visit the UCP’s website.
The following video discusses the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding or hippotherapy for children with cerebral palsy.
This is a video discussing the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for children with cerebral palsy.
Hippotherapy or therapeutic horseback riding can be a beneficial form of therapy for children with cerebral palsy.
The video below discusses some of the benefits children with cerebral palsy can derive from hippotherapy.
Over the last several years there has been an increased interest in using acupuncture to treat cerebral palsy.
The video below discusses the benefits of acupuncture to treat children with cerebral palsy.
The following video is a tribute to Eunice Kennedy Shriver who passed away last week. Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a strong advocate for special needs children including those with cerebral palsy.
Eunice was the founder and honorary chairperson of The Special Olympics.
The video below discuses Eunice Kennedy Shriver ‘s life and her dedication to special needs children.
Monitoring the fetal heart rate is a vital part of all pregnancies and deliveries. The following video discusses methods for monitoring your child’s heart rate from home during your pregnancy.
Monitoring the heart rate during delivery is critical because abnormalities in the heart rate can indicate fetal distress and a lack of oxygen. If the child is in distress the doctor should take immediate action to avoid serious injuries including brain damage and cerebral palsy.
For a more detailed discussion on fetal heart rate monitoring and cerebral palsy please see my previous post by typing “fetal monitoring” in the search box of my blog.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) recently released its 4th Annual Case for Inclusion Report. The 2009 report ranks the States based on providing support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including cerebral palsy being served by Medicaid.
Below are the top ten.
For the complete report and the methodology please click here.
1. Vermont
2. Arizona
3. Alaska
4. New Hampshire
5. Massachusetts
6. Michigan
7. California
8. Hawaii
9. Colorado
10. Connecticut
Earlier this week a Maryland family received a $ 1.85 million dollar verdict. The lawsuit alleged that the delivering doctor negligently used a vacuum extractor during the delivery at Frederick Memorial Hospital.
The wrongful death action further alleged that if the family would have known the risks involved in the procedure they would have elected a c-section.
The child died two days after delivery on July, 5 2005.
Last week Chicago cerebral palsy lawyers reached a settlement with Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood for injuries that were caused at birth due to a failure to perform a timely c-section.
The $11 million settlement will cover costs of an injury caused by a uterine rupture that left a child with brain damage and cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy of Louisiana will be hosting a telethon this weekend. The telethon will be held at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The event starts at 4pm and will go until 10pm on Saturday and 8AM-6pm on Sunday.
Everyone is invited or you can watch the telethon on Comcast on channel 21 or view a streaming video at www.cpofla.com.
Proceeds raised will go to individuals with cerebral palsy in Louisiana.
For more information on the event please call Kathy Arceneaux - 800-375-8275
In this video William H. Macy, Spokesman and National Trustee discusses the great work of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP).
For more information on UCP and cerebral palsy in general please visit their website.
The following video was made by “Seeking Appropriate Education for Kids (SEAK).” The mission of SEAK is to facilitate positive change in the educational system to benefit children. As well as, offer children the opportunity for a successful and meaningful education and life outcomes.
Today, July 25, 2009 is Patient Safety Day. Patient safety day has been observed since 2001 with over 40 States participating.
What is Patient Safety Day? Patient Safety Day is a day to remember all of those harmed by medical errors. A moment of silence and a candlelight vigil will be held to remember those harmed and to reflect on the shared vision of a safer healthcare system.
For more information on Patient Safety Day please visit their website.
Vacuum extractions can be very dangerous. If preformed improperly they can result in severe birth injuries including cerebral palsy and Erb’s Palsy.
If shoulder dystocia is encountered and the doctor attempts an extraction using a vacuum, excessive force may be applied causing nerve damage to the brachial plexus and erb’s palsy.
Additionally, excessive force applied with a vacuum can result in a brain hemorrhage, stroke and cerebral palsy.
The following video demonstrates a vacuum assisted delivery.
The following video is a brief overview of preeclampsia. It discusses the symptoms, diagnosing preeclampsia, and the treatment options.
Preeclampsia is a serious condition putting the mother and baby’s health in jeopardy.
Preeclampsia is diagnosed typically after 21 weeks of pregnancy by a presentation of high blood pressure and protein in the urine.
Once the mother has been diagnosed with preeclampsia the doctor must monitor her closely to avoid complications like a placental abruption which can cause the child to be deprived of oxygen and lead to brain damage and cerebral palsy.
This failure of the doctor to monitor the mother closely may be cause for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
This week U.S. News and World Report released its 2009-10 edition of the best hospitals in the nation.
Here is the link to the top 20.
Also, here is a link to my post last year containing the top pediatric hospitals in the country for conditions such as cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy.
The following video discusses the importance of prenatal care to avoid a premature delivery. Premature delivery can put the child at risk for conditions such as cerebral palsy. The video was made by the March of Dimes.
Preeclampsia is a dangerous condition to both the mother and the child. Preeclampsia is classified as elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine.
Preeclampsia is the leading cause of premature birth and maternal death. Additionally, preeclampsia can lead to conditions such a placental abruption. This can cause the baby to be deprived of oxygen causing brain damage and cerebral palsy.
For more information on the risks, treatments and management of preeclampsia please see my previous post by typing “preeclampsia” in the search box of this blog.
The following video discusses preeclampsia, including the warning signs, treatment and outcomes.
This video discusses the results of a new study out of the University of Washington involving hippotherapy and children with cerebral palsy. The video also discusses how children can benefit from hippotherapy.
Preeclampsia is a condition that occurs during pregnancy and poses a great risk to both mother and child. The mother can develop eclampsia and suffer a seizure or stoke. The child may have diminished blood flow and a lack of oxygen.
This lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage and cerebral palsy.
Preeclampsia is classified by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. When a woman is diagnosed with preeclampsia her doctor needs to monitor her closely and take the necessary precautions to ensure she does not develop eclampsia or other conditions such as a placental abruption.
Additionally, the doctor must also monitor the child to ensure he/she is developing properly.
The following video discusses preeclampsia and the risks to the mother and child as well as the treatment options and diagnosing the condition.
Last week a jury returned a verdict of $31 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit involving a child with cerebral palsy. The lawsuit was against Miami Valley Hospital and is thought to be the largest medical malpractice verdict in Ohio.
According to the complaint the mother was a VBAC meaning she was to deliver vaginally after giving birth to a previous child via a c-section.
The complaint further alleged that the mother’s uterus ruptured during the delivery and the child went without oxygen for 18-20 minutes.
As a result of the oxygen deprivation the child now suffers from cerebral palsy and will need lifelong care.
Note: To avoid any delays and/or appeals the case settled soon after trial.
The following is a video animation regarding placental abruptions.
For a more in-depth discussion and information on how placental abruptions can lead to cerebral palsy please see my previous post on the topic by typing “placental abruption” into the search feature of my blog.
I would like to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July. Please enjoy this video.
Originally used to assist in regaining swallowing function in stroke victims, the Vital Stim is now being used to help individuals with cerebral palsy.
Vitalstim is a noninvasive treatment used to improve speech and swallowing in patients with cp. It works by sending a small electoral current or neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to stimulate muscles.
Here is a link to an article and a short video about an 8 year old with cerebral palsy that is benefiting from Vitalstim. The video explains the uses and benefits of Vitalstim.
With the recent developments in cord blood stem cell treatments for children with cerebral palsy and other conditions many parents are looking into storing their child’s cord blood.
The following video is an interview with Cord Blood America’s CEO. Topics include price, uses, storage and the future of stem cells.
A placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the uterine wall. This can put both the mother and child at great risk.
If a placental abruption occurs the child may be deprived of oxygen. This depravation can lead to brain damage and cerebral palsy.
Below is an excellent video discussing risk factors, causes and treatments of a placental abruption.
For a more in-depth discussion on placental abruptions please see my previous post by typing “placental abruption” in the search box of this blog.
The following video discusses gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes brought on by pregnancy. The video’s topics include testing, prevention, treatment and outcomes for mothers with gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes can cause the fetus growing larger than recommended for a vaginal delivery. If this occurs shoulder dystocia, a situation where the child’s shoulder gets stuck in the birth canal, may occur.
When shoulder dystocia occurs the child may suffer damage to a group of nerves called the brachial plexus, a condition commonly referred to as Erb’s palsy.
Additionally, shoulder dystocia may lead to the child suffering from a lack of oxygen which may cause brain damage and cerebral palsy.
It is for these reasons that expecting mothers with gestational diabetes should be monitored closely by their doctors and in many instances offered a c-section to avoid damage to the child.
The video below explains the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding for children with cerebral palsy.
For more information about hippotherapy please visit the American Hippotherapy Association.
With Father’s Day in mind I would take a moment to share a very touching piece entitled “Out of Breath” from The New York Times written by David Saxton.
Mr. Saxton discusses life after his son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This essay is extremely well written and well worth the read.
The following video discusses communication and writing aids for children with cerebral palsy. The video is brought to you by Bloorview Kids Rehab.
This video also offers an overview of Bloorview Kids Rehab.
With baseball season well underway I thought I would share an inspirational news clip I saw last week about a high school pitcher from Manchester with cerebral palsy.
This video is a continuation to a post I wrote last year regarding the use of magnesium sulfate to reduce the risk of cerebral palsy. At that time researchers were unsure of the reason for the reduction of cerebral palsy in children when the mother received magnesium sulfate.
The video provides a more detailed discussion on the possible reasons why magnesium sulfate reduces the incidence of cerebral palsy in children.
For more information on the study please see my previous post.
Over the past several years social media sites such as Myspace, Facebook and Twitter have gained much popularity. Now, there is a social network site specially focused on individuals and families of individuals with cerebral palsy.
The site is Cerebral Palsy Social and their website is cerebralpalsysocial.org
Also if you are interested, please feel free to visit/join our Cerebral Palsy, Erbs Palsy & Birth Injury Legal Information Group on Facebook and our Cerebral Palsy, Erbs Palsy & Birth Injury Legal Information Group onMyspace.
On our Cerebral Palsy, Erbs Palsy & Birth Injury Legal Information Groups you can find information regarding medical malpractice and birth injuries . Additionally, I host a live chat every Thursday at 7:00pm EST on Myspace and Facebook where everyone is encouraged to submit any questions they may have regarding birth injuries.
Hope to see you there!
The Umbilical cord delivers nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. Often the cord can become compressed and the supply of oxygen to the child can be cut off or diminished. This is regularly evident on the fetal heart rate monitor by decelerations of the child’s heart.
If this occurs, the doctors should take immediate action to avoid further fetal distress and often an emergency c-section should be performed.
Actions need to be taken immediately because lack of oxygen to the child can cause severe brain damage and/or cerebral palsy.
Failure to perform a TIMELY c-section resulting in lack of oxygen at birth is frequently a cause of action birth injury lawyers use in medical malpractice lawsuits.
The video below demonstrates how the umbilical cord can become compressed.
The video below features Suze Orman discussing the cost of banking cord blood on her segment “can I afford it.”
For a more detailed discussion on the costs and benefits of banking cord blood to treat children with cerebral palsy please see my previous posts on the topic.
Lately, there has been a lot of news about children receiving embryonic stem cell treatment for cerebral palsy in China.
Here is a link to an article about two families that raised money to take their children both of whom have cerebral palsy to China to receive embryonic stem cell treatment.
The article also briefly touches on the differences between umbilical cord stem cells and embryonic stem cells.
*Please note this is not an endorsement by The Law Offices of Robert A. D’Iorio, PLLC for or against the use of embryonic stem cells in the treatment of cerebral palsy.
Recently, there has been a lot of news on the new developments for treating children with cerebral palsy by using stem cells.
There are three main sources of stem cells, Adult stem cells, Embryonic stem cells and umbilical cord blood stem cells.
The video below gives a brief overview of each type of stem cell and the benefits that can be derived.
For more information on the use of stem cells to treat children with cerebral palsy and a more detailed discussion on stem cells please see my previous posts on the topic.
Recently, birth injury lawyers in Fredrick, Maryland obtained a $4 million verdict in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of a child that suffers from cerebral palsy.
The plaintiffs in the suit alleged that the doctors failed to properly monitor the fetal heart rate allowing the child to be deprived of oxygen and that the lack of oxygen caused the child to suffer brain damage.
The Limbs Alive Project recently developed specialized games for Nintendo Wii to benefit children with cerebral palsy. The idea behind the project is to make the children perform tasks while being entertained.
Initial research indicates an increase in coordination in children that use Nintendo Wii as therapy
I think this is a great idea because it lets the children get additional physical therapy while having fun.
Last week birth injury lawyers settled a medical malpractice lawsuit against OSF Healthcare System, Inc. (St. Anthony Medical Center) for $12 million. The lawsuit was brought by the parents of a child that suffered brain damage as a result of lack of oxygen at birth.
The lawsuit alleged that the doctors and hospital staff failed to recognize signs of fetal distress, failed to recognize that the child was in a breach position, and failed to perform a C-section in a timely manner and as a result of this negligence, the child now suffers from cerebral palsy.
MIT researchers, lead by Hermano Igo Krebs, have developed a new robotic technology to help children with cerebral palsy. The robotic devices have been in use for several years to assist patients that have suffered a stroke, however, it was not until recently that this new technology was utilized to benefit children with cerebral palsy.
The new robotic therapy is based on the principal that a patient’s brain can establish new connections when the robotic device guides the patient’s body in the proper direction.
The pilot studies show that children with cerebral palsy benefit from the robotic therapy more than adults with the same condition because they are better able to establish new connections.
This looks like a very promising development and a new project is underway to develop an ankle device, as to date, most devices focus on the upper body.
Here is a link to MIT’s website and the full article.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of New York City announced this week the reopening of their Brooklyn SHARE & TechWorks Resource Centers for individuals with cerebral palsy.
For more information on UCP/ NYC ‘s assistive technology training, assessment and referrals please visit their website.
Folic Acid has long been recognized as a beneficial supplement to be taken by expecting mothers to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Recently, a study by Radek Bukowski from the University of Texas suggests that women who took folic acid for a year prior to conception greatly reduced the risk of premature birth. In fact, the study indicates that women that took folic acid for one year prior to conception reduced their chance of delivering prematurely by 70% between 20 and 28 weeks and 50% between 28 and 32 weeks when compared to women that did not take the supplement.
It is recommended that women planning to get pregnant take at least 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) per day and when pregnant, increase to 600 – 800 micrograms per day.
With the recent FDA warning regarding the use of Botox to treat cerebral palsy I have been getting several questions regarding the safety and effectiveness of the use of Botox to treat spasticity.
Below are links to several studies that have been conducted by Seattle Children’s Hospital sponsored by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Botulinum Toxin for Spasticity in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Comprehensive Evaluation
Botulinum Toxin (BOTOX) for Cerebral Palsy
Earlier this month the FDA requested that Botox and its newly approved competitor Dysport should carry black box warnings.
The main reason for this warning is the off label use of the drugs to treat spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.
These warnings come after the 2008 death of a child with cerebral palsy being treated for spasticity.
It is believed that children being treated for spasticity are given a higher dose of the drug than those being treated for cosmetic purposes thus presenting an extreme danger to the child.
For more information on the 2008 FDA warning please see my previous post.
In February of 2009 Sidney Australia hosted the 3rd Annual International Cerebral Palsy Conference. The conference brought together many of the leading international researchers as well as over 1,300 delegates and close to 400 international visitors.
The video below highlights the conference.
With the recent studies done on cord blood stem cells and cerebral palsy I have been getting a lot of questions regarding the banking of cord blood. The video below discusses both public and private methods of storing cord blood.
For more information on the studies involving cord blood and cerebral palsy please see my previous posts.
One theory of liability some of the best or top Medical Malpractice Lawyers / attorneys often use when bringing birth injury Lawsuits involving cerebral palsy or Erbs Palsy is failure to perform a TIMLEY C – section. Put simply, this means that the doctor or medical staff did not perform a c- section soon enough to prevent damage or injury to the child or did not perform a c-section when the situation called for one resulting in an injury to the child.
There are several reasons the doctor or medical staff should perform a C- section. The video below discusses several including:
Shoulder dystocia
Signs of fetal distress
Fetal heart rate accelerations or decelerations
Lack of oxygen to child
Placental abruption
Placenta previa
Breech Birth
High Blood Pressure
Diabetes
Additionally, the video discusses the process involved in performing a C – section.
Recently, there has been much progress in utilizing cord blood stem cells in treating cerebral palsy. The following video discusses the uses of cord blood. Additionally, the video touches on donor cord blood i.e. using another child’s cord blood if your child’s cord blood was not banked.
For a more detailed discussion on cord blood stem cell therapy for the treatment of cerebral palsy please see my previous posts.
Last week The American Academy of Neurology released the results of study conducted by Warren A. Marks M.D. that concluded that deep brain stimulation improves dystonia in children with cerebral palsy.
Deep brain stimulation or DBS is a treatment involving the surgical implantation of a brain pacemaker. This medical device sends electrical impulses to specified parts of the brain.
Deep brain stimulation is thought to improve dystonia in children more effectively than adults because younger patients demonstrate less fixed orthopedic impairment.
DBS was approved by the FDA for use in treating dystonia in 2003. Since that time DBS has been used to treat primary dystonia and used far less frequently to treat dystonias that are secondary to cerebral palsy.
Here is a link to the article
Many of our readers are our also members of our Cerebral Palsy, Erb’s Palsy & Birth Injury Information Group on Facebook. This group is an easy and informal way for parents of children with birth injuries to exchange resources and information.
Additionally, I host a live chat every Thursday at 7:00pm EST/EDT. During our live chat parents are encouraged to ask legal questions regarding medical malpractice and birth injuries.
If you are not yet on Facebook please feel free to e-mail your question to me directly at robert@dioriofirm.com
Here is the link: Facebook Cerebral Palsy, Erb’s Palsy & Birth Injury Information Group
Hope to see you there!!!
The video bellow was made by the March of Dimes and discusses high blood pressure during pregnancy and preeclampsia. Both high blood pressure and preeclampsia can be dangerous to both mother and child.
As discussed in my last post preeclampsia and high blood during pregnancy can lead to a placental abruption which may deprive a child of oxygen causing brain damage to the child and cerebral palsy. For more information on placental abruptions please see my post dated 4/25/09
The Following video discusses the risk factors, symptoms and outcomes for mothers with preeclampsia. One point the video did not touch on is that mothers with preeclampsia are at a high risk for a placental abruption. A placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus. This is a very serious situation for both the mother and child.
When a placental abruption occurs the mother may suffer a dangerous amount of blood loss and the child may be deprived of oxygen and damage to the brain may occur. Furthermore, lack of oxygen can lead to the child developing cerebral palsy.
The video below discuses gestational diabetes. Diabetes during pregnancy can be dangerous and lead to Erb’s Palsy and/or Cerebral Palsy.
Gestational diabetes can cause the fetus to grow larger than average. Delivering a large child vaginally can put the child at risk of encountering shoulder dystocia.
Shoulder dystocia is a situation where that child’s shoulder becomes stuck in the birth canal.
This can lead to a brachial plexus injury / Erb’s Palsy or limit the child’s oxygen supply thus causing brain damage and cerebral palsy.
Last week the internet was buzzing with clips of Susan Boyle’s outstanding performance on Britain’s Got Talent. I was so amazed by this performance I decided to learn a little more about Suzan.
In my brief search I learned that The Sunday Times reported that Susan had a difficult birth and was deprived of oxygen at birth causing “mild brain damage.” As a result of the oxygen deprivation The Sunday Times stated that Susan developed several learning disabilities.
Here is the link to The Sunday Times article
I found this relevant to this Blog because oxygen deprivation at birth can lead to many problems including cerebral palsy.
Here is the youtube link of Susan Boyle’s amazing rendition of “I dreamed a dream” from Les Misérables
This video discusses some potential problems that can arise during pregnancy. Several topics are discussed in the clip and include:
Oligohydramnios – Not enough amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus
Polyhydramnios – too much amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus
Infection – choramnionitis
Preeclampsia - High blood pressure and swelling this can lead to a placental abruption
Eclampsia- seizures
Gestational Diabetes – this can lead to large babies at risk for shoulder dystoca, (the child’s shoulder gets stuck in the birth canal) a dangerous situation that can damage the brachial plexus (Erb’s Palsy) or lead to a lack of oxygen and brain damage to the child.
Placental Previa- placenta covers the cervix
The following video is a news clip featuring the opening of United Cerebral Palsy’s new facility “Life Without Limits.” The new center is a “one stop shop” for physical, occupational and speech therapy for children with cerebral palsy.
Last week a jury found that the Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach, FL was negligent for not having an operation room readily available to perform a c-section. The delay in performing the c-section caused Jordan Preshong Brown, born in 1997, to be deprived of oxygen causing brain damage and cerebral palsy.
Often, the first sign a child may have cerebral palsy is when he/she fails to meet specific developmental milestones.
The video below discusses the importance of early intervention when a child fails to meet certain milestones and what those milestones are. The video also touches on several important milestones in a child’s development and what to look for.
The following video is an introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and cerebral palsy.
This is a clip of the inspirational Team Hoyt on the Today Show. Dick discusses his son’s cerebral palsy and the many things Rick as accomplished in his life, in part, due to his Dad’s determination and inspiration.
In honor of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month the following video was made to spread awareness. The video includes general information and facts regarding Cerebral Palsy.
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day is March 20, 2009. The video below was made in an effort to spread awareness and contains many facts and statistics on cerebral palsy.
For more information please visit www.reachingforthestars.org
Yesterday, President Barack Obama reversed a federal ban on embryonic stem cell research funding. Many Scientists believe that stem cell treatment will be very beneficial in treating people with cerebral palsy and strokes. This type of stem cell research, however, has been controversial because of the use of embryos.
The video below explains the potential benefits and the controversy involved.
For more information on stem cells and treatment for cerebral palsy please see my previous posts.
March is cerebral palsy awareness month. Throughout the month there will be several events dedicated to spreading information and awareness about cerebral palsy.
Leading the effort to coordinate the events for cerebral palsy awareness month is parent led advocacy and support group Reaching for the Stars. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will be sponsoring events in Atlanta, GA on Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day (March 20, 2009).
For more information contact Lara Terrell at 202-973-7105
1 in 5 deliveries in the United States is the result of induced labor. The following video explains possible reasons for inducing labor. The video touches on some of the main reasons including:
Infection
Decreasing fetal growth
Preeclampsia
Large gestational age child
Maternal illness
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Long pregnancy – past due date
Water broken for more than 24 hours
Failure to induce labor may result in a medical malpractice lawsuit due to injuries to the child such as Cerebral Palsy or Erb’s Palsy.
Approximately 30 % of children born in the United States are born via c-section. This video explains the process and the reasons a c-section may be necessary. The reasons include:
Previous c-section
Large gestational age (LGA) child – large children risk getting stuck in the birth canal a condition known as shoulder dystocia which can lead to erbs palsy and/or a lack of oxygen and cerebral palsy
Breech Birth or Transverse position – Abnormal position of the child
Umbilical cord prolapse - abnormal position of the umbilical cord increases the risk of lack of oxygen to the fetus by flattening the cord when vaginal delivery is attempted and can lead to cerebral palsy
Placental problems- placental abruption placenta previa
Prolonged labor – labor slows or stops
Fetal distress- child’s heart rate demonstrates signs of distress such as a slow heart rate on the fetal monitoring strips. This can be a sign that the child is not receiving sufficient oxygen to his/her brain and can lead to brain damage
Maternal infections – genital herpes or HIV
High Blood Pressure or Diabetes
Many medical malpractice lawsuits are based on the theory that the doctors failed to recognize the conditions mentioned above or recognized the condition but failed to perform a c-section soon enough to avoid injuries like cerebral palsy and Erbs Palsy.
The following video discusses several complications / injuries at birth including:
Breach Birth - Abnormal presentation of the child
Caput succedaneum - swelling of the scalp usually caused by pressure from the delivery.
Cephalohematoma – blood collected under the periosteum
Intracranial Subgaleal Hemorrhage - bleeding in the skull (intracranial) or between the
periosteum and the galea aponeurosis (Subgaleal).
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage - damage to the eye, specifically, bleeding under the conjunctiva
Facial paralysis
Fractures
Richard B. Silverman and others at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL recently created two chemical compounds that look promising in protecting the fetus from later developing cerebral palsy from lack of oxygen at birth.
The compounds work by blocking the enzymes that produce nitric oxide. Excessive nitric oxide is produced in the brain after hypoxia has occurred and can lead to brain damage. Delivering the compounds 30 minutes prior to the hypoxic insult resulted in a 100 percent survival rate of the test animals. All of the animals given the placebo died.
Although tests on humans may be several years down the line, Silverman stated that the compounds could be used prior to c-sections to diminish the risk of brain damage and reduce the instances of cerebral palsy in humans.
The video below contains a brief overview on cord blood stem cells and explains who may benefit from banking cord blood, answering questions such as “what if I didn’t store my child’s cord blood?” and “Can my child use other children’s stored cord blood?”
Please see my earlier posts for a more in-depth look at cord blood and the new treatments for children with cerebral palsy.
TIME Magazine recently featured an article on VBAC ( Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section) and the risks involved.
One of the dangers involve in a VBAC is a uterine rupture. A uterine rupture can put the mother and child at great risk. The child may be deprived of oxygen. Deprivation of oxygen increases the child’s risk of developing cerebral palsy.
As the article states due to the high risks there have been many medical malpractice lawsuits involving VBACs.
The following video discusses topics such as:
Breach Birth - abnormal presentation of the fetus
Macrosomic babies - large babies
Shoulder Dystocia – shoulder getting stuck on the mother’s pubic bone. This can lead to erb’s palsy (injury to the brachial plexus) and/or cause the child to be deprived of oxygen leading to cerebral palsy
Umbilical Cord Prolapse – this happens when the umbilical cord precedes the child and exits the uterus first. This can cause a lack of oxygen to the fetus resulting in brain damage and cerebral palsy
Umbilical Cord Wrapped around the child’s neck – this can cause a lack of oxygen to the fetus and result in brain damage and cerebral palsy
The video below explains the medical reasons for having a Cesarean Section (C-Section). Some of the reasons include:
Shoulder dystocia - which can lead to a brachial plexus injury ( Erb’s Palsy)
Lack of oxygen to the child – Which can lead to Cerebral Palsy
Abnormal Heart rate of the child – Leading to brain damage and cerebral palsy
Any other signs of fetal distress.
Breach birth
Health of the mother at risk- i.e. preexisting liver or heart problems
And finally some infections will warrant a C-section
Children born prematurely often have many health complications including cerebral palsy. The following video, provided by the March of Dimes, explains the signs and symptoms of preterm labor and also explains what can be done by you and your doctor to delay the onset of labor or diminish the risk of injury to the baby should he/she be delivered prematurely.
Last Friday a Jury in York County, South Carolina awarded the family of Sierra Wilson $ 4.4 Million due to a birth injury sustained at Piedmont Hospital. The Plaintiffs alleged that the medical staff failed to respond to signs of fetal distress. This failure to act caused Sierra to be deprived of oxygen at birth. Sierra latter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
The video below discusses how gestational diabetes can develop in pregnant women. Gestational diabetes can cause a fetus to grow larger than desired for a vaginal delivery (classified as a large gestational age (LGA) child) and may warrant a c-section.
Large children run the risk of getting their shoulders caught in the birth canal a condition known as shoulder dystocia. If shoulder dystocia is not managed properly the child may develop nerve damage to the brachial plexus and develop a condition known as erb’s palsy or suffer from lack of oxygen and cerebral palsy or both.
Often, doctors will recommend that mothers with gestational diabetes and LGA children deliver the child via c-section to avoid the risk of shoulder dystocia.
The following video discusses the benefits of conductive education for children with cerebral palsy.
The following video explores assistive technology (AT) and alternative communication for children with cerebral palsy.
Assistive technology (AT) is a general term that includes assistive, rehabilitative and adaptive devices for people with disabilities.
The following video demonstrates several basic advancements in technology in the class room and out for children with cerebral palsy.
The book Melanie: Bird With a Broken Wing discusses a families struggle to find health / medical and educational care for their child with cerebral palsy.
The author, Beth Harry, states that the book ''Quite simply, it's a mother's story,'' about “…coming to terms with what she meant to me, to us.”
For more information about Melanie: Bird With a Broken Wing please click here.
The UCP of Berkshire County will be hosting its 46th annual live Telethon on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009 from 2 - 6 p.m. at The Crowne Plaza Hotel. The goal is to raise $ 35,000 to fund advocacy and children's programming.
For more information on the event please contact one of the offices below:
PITTSFIELD OFFICE
UCP of Berkshire County
208 West Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: (413) 442-1562
Fax: (413) 499-4077
TTY: (413) 442-1562
E-Mail: info@ucpberkshire.org
NORTH ADAMS OFFICE
UCP of Berkshire County
PO Box 934
North Adams, MA 01247
Phone: (413) 664-9345
Fax: (413) 664-6234
TTY: (413) 664-9345
E-Mail: info@ucpberkshire.org
The UCP will be hosting its annual cerebral palsy conference on April 22-25, 2009. The conference will be held in San Francisco, CA at The Westin St. Francis at Union Square, 335 Powell Street.
Several awards will be given and UCP is still accepting nominations the categories include:
Employer of the Year Award
Ethel Hausman Volunteer of the Year Award
Life Without Limits Award
Nina Eaton Program of the Year Award
Outstanding Community Service Award
Prentke Romich Augmentative and Alternative Communication Service Award
Public Policy and Advocacy Award
Ritter Legacy Award
Universal Accessibility Design Award
For more information, to register for the conference or make a nomination please click here.
A new study concludes that the use of Magnesium Sulphate given to mothers of premature babies cuts the risk of the child developing cerebral palsy by 50 %.
Several months ago I wrote a post regarding a similar study of how administering Magnesium Sulphate to women whose water broke between 24 and 31 weeks reduced the rate of cerebral palsy by 50 %.
Currently, the reason for the reduction is not completely understood; however, side effects are minimal. Furthermore, magnesium sulphate is inexpensive and available at many hospitals. Therefore, I feel that administering magnesium sulphate to diminish the risk of cerebral palsy may soon become standard practice in premature births.
Last week lawyers for the family of Roberto Morales Jr. reached a settlement of $ 6.5 Million in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that the medical staff at Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, Illinois administered Pitocin to the mother to expedite delivery. The Potocin caused an adverse reaction and caused the child to demonstrate signs of distress.
The medical staff, however, failed to respond to signs that the child was in distress and was experiencing a lack of oxygen to his brain. As a result of the oxygen depravation the child sustained brain damage and will need lifelong care.
Undergoing physical therapy at home with young children with cerebral palsy is often difficult. The following short video demonstrates how to keep the child’s interest by offering new fun ways to perform certain tasks.
The video below explains the history, methods and benefits of conductive education for children with special needs.
The video below is the second in a two part series of videos discussing TheraSuit therapy. In this clip they discuss all five stages of TheraSuit therapy from the warm up to the last stage. Additionally, the video explains the benefits of the TheraSuit home program for children with cerebral palsy.
The following video is part 1 of 2 videos discussing TheraSuit therapy. This two part series explains the TheraSuit’s history, benefits, and methods of use for children with cerebral palsy.
The following is a video discussing Therapies 4 Kids. Therapies 4 Kids is a clinic offering physical therapy, occupational therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy for children with cerebral palsy.
STOMP (Specialized Training of Military Parents) is federally funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The goal of Stomp is to assist Military families find resources for special needs children.
For more information on military and civilian resources please visit our State Resource Guide. The Guide is a one stop guide for resources for children and adults with cerebral palsy in every State.
The following data represents the percentage of premature births for the years 1990, 2004, and 2005 provided by the CDC/National Center for Health Statistics National Vital Statistics System. This information is important because as I stated in a previous post children born between the ages of 34 to 36 weeks gestation face a three hundred percent higher risk of developing cerebral palsy compared to children born full term. Furthermore, children born at this period are increasing dramatically in the USA.
Less than 32 weeks
• 1990: 1.9
• 2004: 2.0
• 2005: 2.0
32-33 weeks
• 1990: 1.4
• 2004: 1.6
• 2005: 1.6
34-36 weeks
• 1990: 7.3
• 2004: 8.9
• 2005: 9.1
Totals
• 1990: 10.6
• 2004: 12.5
• 2005: 12.7
According to a study released last week children born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation are three times more likely to develop cerebral palsy. This study is alarming because the number of children born between 34 and 36 weeks in the US is increasing. In fact, about 1 in 11 children born in the US falls in this category totaling 370,000 children a year.
The study could not explain the reason for this increase other then to say that these children are often larger in size and as such many health care professionals treat them as if they were full term babies thus they don’t receive the care they need.
This is a video from the Today Show of Dallas Hextel and his cord blood stem cell treatment for cerebral palsy. The video discusses his treatment and recovery after receiving his own cord blood.
Last week a jury awarded the family of Cody White $ 20.5 million for a birth injury that resulted in cerebral palsy.
The Medical malpractice lawsuit alleged that the boy’s mother arrived at the hospital in labor at which time fetal monitoring strips were attached to the mother. The fetal monitoring strips demonstrated that the child was in distress. The family waited two hours for the doctor to arrive. Upon arrival the doctor attempted to induce labor instead of performing an immediate c-section. This delay resulted in a lack of oxygen to the child causing brain damage and cerebral palsy.
This is an amazing video that depicts the dramatic changes that Maia Friedlander, a young girl with cerebral palsy underwent after receiving stem cell therapy using her own cord blood. The cord blood was inserted by Dr Joanna Kurtzberg at Duke University, a procedure that takes less then two hours. Within two days Maia’s parents began to notice significant changes. This video also discusses the procees of stem cell therapy using cord blood and what to expect at Duke University.
This is a great video discussing the decisions ( risks and benefits ) involved in determining to use cord blood stem cells to treat cerebral palsy in children. Additionally, the video discuses children that have benefited by cord blood stem cell treatment at Duke. Finally, the video briefly touches on the process parents and children go through at Duke University.
On Wednesday the March of Dimes released its first “report card” on premature birth rates in the United States. With many States receiving failing grades and a national average of 12.7% the overall grade for the U.S was a “D.”
Premature birth defined here as delivery before 37 weeks gestation affects 530,000 children each year and is major cause of cerebral palsy, blindness, jaundice, hearing loss and other serious conditions.
The goal of the study was bring awareness and to determine what States are doing and need to do to lower the rate of premature babies to reach the goal of 7.6% by 2010 set by The National Healthy People.
For more information on individual States and what you can do to help please click here.
After a three week trial a Wisconsin jury recently awarded the family of a boy with cerebral palsy $11.4 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
The complaint filed in 2006 alleged that a nurse and a nurse midwife at Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse were negligent and their negligance resulted in the child’s birth injuries.
Scientist at Wright State University's Boonshoft School of Medicine, Kettering Medical Center and Children's Medical Center of Dayton are studying the affects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) on children with spastic cerebral palsy.
This study involves high concentrations of oxygen to be delivered to children with spastic cerebral palsy utilizing a pressurized chamber. The study is being offered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and is free to participants as part of a federally funded project.
So far the researchers have studied 48 children; however, they are currently seeking more participants between 3 and 8 years of age.
If you would like more information please contact Connie Bruns at (937) 641-4279 and as always if you have any questions regarding your child please feel free to contact me directly at (888) 456-4658 or Robert@dioriofirm.com
The Virginia Birth Injury Fund was designed as an alternative to medical malpractice lawsuits against obstetricians, healthcare providers and hospitals involved in the birth of an injured child.
The program takes away the families right to litigation as a means of receiving compensation for past and future medical expenses and is supposed to provide lifetime medical payments to eligible children that have neurological injuries that occurred at birth, most commonly cerebral palsy.
Financial studies demonstrate that the promise of lifelong care was becoming less certain as new children enter the program, leaving some families wondering how they are going to pay for their child’s needs in years to come. This fear is now compounded by the market turmoil diminishing the value of the fund from $186 million to $166.5 million in less then one month and over $35 million in the last year.
The following video provided by CP Discovery, discusses physical therapy for children with cerebral palsy.
The video includes topics such as, how long children will need physical therapy, benefits of therapy and goals that can be achieved with therapy.
Last week a Washington jury returned a verdict of $4.25 Million for a child with cerebral palsy. The complaint alleged that the mother suffered a placental abruption (Placenta separated from urterine wall) and that the child was not delivered for over 20 minutes after the abruption. This delay caused the child to be deprived of oxygen which led to her cerebral palsy.
The verdict includes $350,000 for past medical expenses, $ 2.5 Million for the future expenses that may be incurred and $1.4 Million for pain and suffering.
The video below, made by CP Discovery takes an in depth look at Hippotherapy and the benefits of horse therapy for children with cerebral palsy.
For more information on Butterfly Dreams Farm in Watkinsville, GA. or Peggy Curran please visit their website www.butterflydreamsfarm.org.
This video was just released from the University if North Carolina. It further discusses cerebral palsy, premature babies and magnesium sulfate / Epsom salt.
On Friday of last week a Chicago family agreed to a settlement of $5.5 million for the injury their son obtained during birth.
The court documents stated that on March 1, 2002 Eva Liberato, of Northlake was given the labor inducing drug pitocin. The family’s doctor attempted to deliver the child with a vacuum and forceps; however the child was not descending properly. The family alleged that during this time the child’s heart rate dropped and that this drop caused a lack of oxygen to the brain that ultimately resulted in the child’s cerebral palsy.
This is a great video and one I think every parent of a special needs child should watch. It gives a fathers perspective on his child’s cerebral palsy, his friends children, and his sons achievements.
This video explains the benefits of cord blood stem cells for the treatment of cerebral palsy and other disorders as well as answers the question: can you use someone else’s cord blood stem cells if you did not bank your own?
The following video depicts the benefits of cord blood stem cells on a little girl with cerebral palsy due to a stroke. A Cord Blood transfusion takes less then an hour and can have immediate benefits. Currently, banking cord blood costs around $2000 up front and $150 per year. Additionally, the ethical and legal issues involved in using embryonic stem cells are bypassed when using cord blood stem cells.
This video describes the benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment for children and adults with cerebral palsy and strokes. To find a treatment center in your area please see my previous post.
The risk of a child developing cerebral palsy may be cut by nearly 50 percent by administering magnesium sulfate to women just before delivery. The reason magnesium sulfate reduces instances of cerebral palsy is currently unknown however, researchers at University of North Carolina (UNC) are currently investigating the link.
This is a crucial finding because magnesium sulfate is inexpensive and readily available at most hospitals. Therefore, it is likely that doctors will be able to administer magnesium sulfate to a significant number of mothers that deliver their child prematurely. Furthermore, doctors could begin using the treatment immediately as FDA approval is not necessary for the use of magnesium sulfate according to Dr. John Thorp, co-author of the study and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Thorp went further to say that “This is one of the most promising breakthroughs in the management of high-risk pregnancies in more than 30 years,”
Below please find a Video from UNC medical center on magnesium sulfate and cerebral palsy.
Lack of prenatal care can lead to devastating results to a child such as cerebral palsy, erb’s palsy, spina bifida or even death. Often these conditions can be avoided with proper prenatal care. Tonights 20/20 will focus on a grassroots campaign to save these children. Although, the doctors treating these children are doing a great service one has to think; wouldn’t it have been so much easier (for everyone) to treat the mothers (that they are able to treat) properly to begin with and avoid this devastating situation?
Placental abruption (abruptio placenta) is a serious complication during pregnancy. A placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the uterine wall. A placental abruption puts both the mother and child in danger and requires immediate medical attention as it can deprive the child of oxygen and cause severe bleeding in the mother. Oxygen depravation can lead to Cerebral Palsy and other neurological disorders in the child.
If you have suffered a placental abruption and you or you child has been injured as a result it is likely that your doctor or hospital was negligent and the injury could have been prevented.
For more information See Symptoms of a Placental Abruption, Causes of a Placental Abruption and Risk Factors of a Placental Abruption in our blog section.
Symptoms of a placental abruption can range in severity and do not correlate to the amount the placenta has separated from the wall of the uterus. Syptoms require immediate medical attention and include but are not limited to:
§ Vaginal bleeding (Please note:20% of cases will have no bleeding)
§ Back pain
§ Abdominal pain
§ Uterine tenderness
§ Rapid uterine contractions
§ Fetal heart rate abnormalities
If you have experienced these symptoms and/or suffered a placental abruption and you or your child have been injured as a result it is likely that your doctor or hospital was negligent and the injury could have been prevented.
For more information on placental abruptions See or Blog section.
Several risk factors and causes of a placental abruption are listed below. If you experienced any of theses risk factors your doctor should have monitored your pregnancy closely and a c-section should have been performed in a timely manor to avoid oxygen deprivation to your child.
§ Previous pregnancies
§ Previous placental abruption.
§ High blood pressure before or during pregnancy
§ Preeclamsia
§ Blood-clotting disorders.
§ Multiple pregnancy. Carrying twins, triplets etc.
§ Excess amniotic fluid.
§ Age. Placental abruption is more common in women age 35 and older.
§ Abdominal trauma. Car accident, fall etc.
§ Substance abuse. smoking, drinking alcohol, cocaine or methamphetamine during pregnancy.
Children's Neurobiological Solutions Foundation CNS Foundation is a national non-profit organization that fosters innovations in brain repair and regeneration for children with cerebral palsy.
In this video occupational therapist, Jean Davison, discusses Sensory Integration Therapy and explains what it is and the benefits for children with cerebral palsy.
The term Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a term used to describe damage to the brain caused by lack of oxygen and lack of blood flow to the brain. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can cause a permanent neurological disorder and cerebral palsy.
This damage often occurs during birth, due to such problems as abnormalities in the placenta, placental abruption, uterine rupture, umbilical cord compression, umbilical cord prolapse, cord wrapped around the baby's neck, breech birth or high risk births.
The Apgar score was created by Dr. Virginia Apgar as a quick method to assess the health of a newborn at one and five minutes after birth. The test is based on skin color, heart rate, reflex irritability, muscle tone, and Respiration. Each criterion is given a score between 0 and 2 then added up to give a maximum possible score of 10.
Antepartum tests are test performed to determine the condition of the fetus and intrauterine environment and can recognize hypoxia and/or asphyxia. These tests include but are not limited to a biophysical profile, a contraction stress test, Doppler ultrasound flow testing, fetal movement counting, a non-stress test, the oxytocin challenge test and ultrasound test.
Several conditions may be present to necessitate antepartum testing. Examples of such are, hypertensive disorders (preeclampsia), diabetes, decreased or low fetal movement, oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid levels), slowed intrauterine growth, and pregnancies beyond term.
The Non-Stress Test (NST)
Generally, the non-stress test NST is the first test performed to determine the status of he fetus. It is based on the principle that when the fetus moves, its heartbeat usually increases. The NST evaluates fetal status by monitoring accelerations of the fetal heart rate in response to its own movements.
Biophysical Profile
The biophysical profile is an ultrasound that can supplement the NST. Here, the clinician checks, fetal tone and movement, breathing motions, and the amniotic fluid volume (indication of fetal stress) to assess the general health of the fetus. Then the four components of the test and the NST are given an individual score; 2 for normal (or present), 1 indicating decreased, and finally, 0 for abnormal. The maximum score is 10.
Contraction Stress Test (CST)
The CST is similar to the Non-Stress Test (NST), however, here the fetal heart Rate (FHR) is evaluated in terms of the response to contractions of the mother's uterus. Because it is more detailed and complicated then a NST, it is often used to confirm the results of an abnormal NST.
Selecting the right attorney for a child with cerebral palsy may seem like a daunting task at times. So I put together some questions to help.
If you would like further assistance, I am more then happy to recommend an attorney that specializes in birth injury cases in your area, so please don’t hesitate to call me directly at (202) 243-0581 or 1 (888) 456-4658 or send me an e-mail at robert@dioriofirm.com (please include your name, phone number, child’s date of birth, State where your child was born and State where you are currently residing)
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you,
Robert
1. Is the attorney familiar with the many medical and legal complexities of cerebral palsy?
2. Has the lawyer/attorney successfully handled cases involving cerebral palsy in the past?
3. If so, what percentage of the lawyer’s practice is dedicated to representing individuals with cerebral palsy?
4. Is the lawyer associated with any reputable law associations such as, ATLA/AAJ, Birth Trauma Legal Associations, etc?
5. Does the lawyer represent plaintiffs (injured party) or defendants (negligent party)?
6. What are the fees? Does the lawyer work on a Contingency fee basis?
7. Who pays the cost of expenses such as medical expert testimony?
8. Is there a charge for a legal fee if there is no recovery?
9. Who will be responsible for expenses if there is no recovery?
10. Will the lawyer explain the legal process and all aspects of your case to you?
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Maryland recently awarded David Soden, 41, its "Can Do" award "for persevering to achieve his goals despite his cerebral palsy,"
Soden, received this award for his work preformed at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore.
Neil Sauter, who has cerebral palsy, hopes to rise over $10,000 while walking in excess of 830 miles on stilts from Lambertville and ending in Ironwood.
If you would like to support Neil Sauter in his journey across Michigan donations can be made online to United Cerebral Palsy by visiting www.stiltstory.org or by mail to United Cerebral Palsy, 4970 Northwind Drive, Suite 102, East Lansing, 48823.
I would like to invite anyone that is interested to visit/join our Cerebral Palsy, Erb’s Palsy & Birth Injury Information Groups where you will find valuable resources on both the legal aspects of birth injuries and the latest news and treatments.
It is my hope that the groups will be an easy and informal way for those affected by a birth injury and their families to get the information they need.
Also, I will be hosting a Live Chat every Thursday at 7:00pm EST on the group websites where you are encouraged to ask questions regarding birth injuries.
The Groups are currently on Facebook, Myspace and Yahoo Groups. Also, Please feel free to simply e-mail your question directly to me at robert@dioriofirm.com and I will reply to your e-mail address.
Here are the links:
I hope to see you there,
Robert
The following is a paragraph provided by Karyn Halmstad at Goodwill.
It sounds like a great program.
Goodwill On the Move is a weekend recreation program for persons with disabilities who want to put a little more ‘kick’ in their weekends. We offer three different types of leisure opportunities (called tracks) for people to choose from:
• Full Day Outings, which consist of 6 to 8 hour activities like sporting events, festivals, museums and tours. Full Day Outings are active and require independence with personal care.
• Half Day Outings, which consist of 3 to 4 hour activities like plays, smaller festivals and museums and seated tours. Half Day Outings are slower paced and appropriate for participants who need some help with personal care.
• Workshops, which consist of art, music and movement activities. Workshops are the slowest paced and appropriate for participants who need some help with personal care.
For more information, including setting up a visit or getting more information on programs, please call Karyn Halmstad, Goodwill On the Move coordinator, at (262) 970-6042 or e-mail at onthemove@goodwillsew.com . You can also find more information, including application forms and the current calendar of events, at www.goodwillsew.com.
Last month a Waynesboro family settled with the University of Virginia Medical Center for $1.35 million in a case that arose from the September 2001 birth of their son.
The family alleged that the treating doctors failed to act in a timely fashion to their son’s condition. The papers stated that the child developed cerebral palsy from being asphyxiated (lack of oxygen) at birth.
The following is a touching video that depicts the story of a child living with Cerebral Palsy.
This video highlights Angela's House. Angela's House opened in the fall of 2000 and is a culmination of a ten-year effort by Bob Policastro. This special home for children is the first of its kind offering a loving environment with 24-hour nursing care for children with special needs such as cerebral palsy. For more information please visit www.angelashouse.org
This video highlights a great program that offers home and residential care for children with special needs such as, cerebral palsy, and other medical conditions. For more information please visit www.angelashouse.org
The different types of stem cells (CD34 hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells) and their origins (cord blood, placental, bone marrow etc.) are discussed in this video.
* Stem cells discussed here involve umbilical cord blood and placentas NOT fetal or embryonic stem cells, as Legal and ethical issues may arise when fetal or embryonic stem cells are involved.
This video depicts the history of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP). If you would like information on a local chapter of the UCP and other local resources please visit our State Resource Guide.
This is a video of an 18 month old that was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. The child’s mother banked his cord blood and later utilized the stem cells to treat the damaged part of the brain. As you can see from the video the child has made a substantial recovery. Currently, this treatment is considered experimental and can be expensive but the results look very promising.
This video briefly discuses epilepsy and seizures including those caused by trauma at birth.
This is a very touching video of a child that sustained brain damage due to lack of oxygen at birth.
More information can be found on Carter's Myspace Page and his Mom's page.
Last night Daniel Day-Lewis took home his second Oscar for best actor for his role as Daniel Plainview in the movie There Will Be Blood. Day-Lewis received his first Oscar for his 1989 role of Christy Brown, an Irishman that had cerebral palsy due to an injury at birth in My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown. Below is a clip from My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown.
Food and Drug Administration officials (FDA) stated yesterday that it received reports of at least one death among patients who received botox injections as well as a "a relative handful" of serious side effects in which the toxin spread beyond the injection site.
The most serious injuries occurred in children with cerebral palsy receiving treatments to alleviate spasms. The reason for this is believed to be that the children were receiving the toxin in higher doses.
Dr. John Thorp, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor of obstetrics reported that magnesium sulfate or as it is more commonly known, Epsom salt, may cut the rate of cerebral palsy in premature children by nearly 50 percent.
The findings were presented in Dallas to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine as follows: magnesium sulfate or a placebo was given to 2,241 women going into early labor between 24 to 31 weeks. Although the magnesium did not prevent fatalities among the premature babies, 4.2 percent of the babies born to women given magnesium developed cerebral palsy, as compared to 7.3 percent of those born to women who got the placebo.
The question remains, why were the children born to mothers given magnesium sulfate less likely to develop cerebral palsy?
This remains unanswered, however, the results are promising and given the fact that magnesium sulfate is readily available in most delivery rooms and has common uses such as inhibiting premature labor and is given to women experiencing pre-eclampsia, to prevent them from going into eclampsia, and having a seizure, it is possible that in the future administering magnesium sulfate to mothers experiencing preterm labor will become the standard.
State medical board officials have issued formal reprimands for two obstetricians. The doctors allegedly mishandled two births that led to devastating injuries including cerebral palsy.
The doctors are protected from civil litigation by Virginia's Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Act. Under which the doctors will face no monetary penalty, no civil trial and the reprimands will not affect the doctor’s ability to practice medicine.
According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch these were the first such sanctions issued since the act was created in 1987.
This is a video demonstrating the benefits of massage therapy for individuals with cerebral palsy.
The following is a continuation of yesterday’s post of a child undergoing massage therapy for cerebral palsy.
The following is a clip of a child undergoing massage therapy for his Cerebral Palsy. At 14 months Max could not sit and his arms and legs were very stiff. For the past five months Max and his parents Nina and Bert have been working with Peter Walker to increase his flexibility and develop a more typical pattern of development. Over the Past five months Max has demonstrated much improvement. Keep up the great work.
* The Institute of Cellular Medicine (ICM) only uses stem cells from adults, umbilical cord blood and placentas NOT fetal or embryonic stem cells, as Legal and ethical issues may arise when fetal or embryonic stem cells are involved.
Cord blood stem cell therapy is in the early stages. Umbilical cord stem cells have been used world-wide since 1988. They have typically been used to restore the immune system of patients undergoing myeloablative chemotherapy.
In the brain, neuronal progenitor cells (present in umbilical cord blood) have been shown to differentiate into new tissue circuitry that is needed for a variety of specialized neural functions. Effective neural function, of any type, depends to a great extent on the establishment of precise physical pathways and connections that allow electrical communication between individual neurons and between entire classes of neurons; stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood have been shown to repair these types of connections.
Momentum is gathering for the introduction of stem cell therapy in the treatment of cerebral palsy, not only for children, but for adults as well. In fact, on December 20th of 2005, President George W. Bush signed a bill establishing a national umbilical cord blood program in which federal funding is provided for the collection and storage of cord blood for blood cell transplants. Now parents in the U.S. have increased hope for a higher quality of lives for their children. Additionally, real hope for adults who are suffering with cerebral palsy is now also found in the extensive research that is being conducted by a long list of scientists on adult brain plasticity and "restorative neurobiology."
Launched by Cord Blood Registry®, the Newborn Possibilities program offers free storage of newborn stem cells to expectant parents of babies with an increased risk of neurological impairment.
Strong preclinical data suggests a newborn's own cord blood stem cells can provide therapeutic benefit in treating brain damage. Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood cause of neurological and physical disability, diagnosed in 8,000 newborns each year, or 1.4 - 2.7% of live births. To date, newborn stem cells have been used in more than 6,000 transplants worldwide
For more information, expectant parents should call 1-888-CORD-BLOOD or visit http://newbornpossibilities.com
When a child gets diagnosed with cerebral palsy or erb’s palsy the question of where to go for the best treatment soon follows. Below is a list of the top pediatric hospitals compiled by U.S. News & World Report.
America's Best Children's Hospitals, 2007 Edition
Published by U.S.News & World Report
1. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
2. Children's Hospital Boston
3. Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore
4. Children's Hospital, Denver
5. Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland
6. Texas Children's Hospital, Houston
7. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
8. New York-Presbyterian Univ. Hosp. of Columbia and Cornell
9. Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle
10. Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, Calif.
11. Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
12. Columbus Children's Hospital
13. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
14. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
15. St. Louis Children's Hospital
16. UCSF Children's Hospital, San Francisco
17. Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
18. Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
19. Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.
20. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis
21. Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA, Los Angeles
22. University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor
23. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville
24. Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, N.Y.
25. Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago
26. Miami Children's Hospital
27. Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis
28. Children's Medical Center Dallas
29. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
30. Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Tiantan Puhua Neurosurgical Hospital, one of the world's leading treatment centers for Parkinson's disease and strokes, recently announced a breakthrough in the treatment of Cerebral Palsy (CP) by introducing neural stem cells through a non-evasive procedure to 19-year-old Gabor Bocskai from Hungary.
The treatment works by introducing stem cells into the patient's spinal cord fluid (via Lumbar Puncture) which are then circulated directly to the brain. The success of this procedure makes Mr. Bocskai the first teenage European CP patient to see rapid improvement through stem cell therapy. Unedited videos taken before and after Mr. Bocskai's injections demonstrate the profound improvement in this 19-year olds battle to walk, write, focus his eyes, concentrate, and overcome the many other detrimental effects resulting from the CP he acquired at birth.
After the eight-week stem cell therapy program, Mr. Bocskai's experinced noticeable physical improvements including improved vision, increased eye focus and better concentration on one subject. He also reported more legible writing, enhanced muscle tone, the ability to sit up unsupported, improved speech and a new capability to walk and swim in an unassisted manner.
In fact, proir to the treatment, Mr. Bocskai was not able to walk independently, using a wheelchair for transportation. Within four months of the initial treatment, he stated that he was able to walk with the help of a walker and no other support, with increased maneuverability in his legs and torso.
This is a very promising treatment and one of many on the verge of being offered to the public.
The following is a video demonstrating the use of TheraSuit therapy on children with Cerebral Palsy.
TheraSuit serves as an exoskeleton supporting patients with neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy. Patients wear it while undergoing an intensive exercise program conducted by specially trained physical therapists.
The Cerebral Palsy Ability Center (CPAC) is an organization that offers Conductive Education (CE) a complex, integrated program of developmental learning (including physical, social, emotional, and academic) for children with motor disorders caused by damage to the central nervous system such as cerebral palsy available to children in the greater Washington, DC metro area. They offer classes year-round for toddlers, kindergartners, and school-age children. Scholarships are available based on a determination of need.
This is an excellent program, to learn more please contact The Cerebral Palsy Ability Center.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that uses oxygen to speed and enhance the body's natural ability to heal. High dose oxygen therapy is AMA, FDA and Medicare approved. During therapy, the patient breathes 100% oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure. Sessions typically last an hour or two.
Normally, oxygen is almost exclusively carried by red blood cells. During HBOT, there is a substantial increase in the amount of oxygen carried in all body fluids including plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and intracellular fluids. This allows increased oxygen levels even in areas with poor or compromised blood supply as well as in areas of tissue damage.
In most children with cerebral palsy the damaged areas of the brain do not exist in sharp contrast to regions of completely normal function. In these children, there exists a population of neurons that while alive, are not functioning at optimum capacity. It is these “idling neurons” that respond to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
Increasing tissue oxygen levels produces several important long term therapeutic benefits including enhanced growth of new blood vessels, increased ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria and remove toxins, increase growth of fibroblasts (cells involved in wound healing), and enhanced metabolic activity of previously marginally functioning cells including brain neurons.
Currently, research is taking place in Montreal Canada to study the results of HBOT. Dr. Pierre Marois of McGill University has recently studied 25 children with cerebral palsy, aged 4 to 7 years, who have been treated with 20 hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments. According to Dr. Marois
“…the results are really incredible! Twenty-three of the 25 children have great results. Twenty-three have amelioration with their spasticity and may have amelioration with speech and cognitive function”.
Further, their published results reveal
“the clinical observations do list numerous functional changes, definite improvements, a large amount in the level of arousal/response to communication. From statistical analysis of the objective estimations we confirm these changes, more particularly on the level of motor functioning like walking and the quality of sitting position, similarly on the level of spasticity. These results are surprising considering the small number of treatments (20), and of extreme importance because it’s the first study documenting objectively the prospects of beneficial effects of HBO in the treatment of children suffering from cerebral palsy.” Marois, P., The Pilot Project on Treatment in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
This news clip shows a child with cerebral palsy undergoing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
This Video depicts children and young adults with cerebral palsy receiving physical therapy at the Euro-Pēds clinic.
Contact Information:
North Oakland Medical Centers
Euro-Pēds
461 W. Huron St., Suite 406
Pontiac, MI 48341
Phone: (248) 857-6776
Toll Free: 1(888) 875-NOMC(6662)
Fax: (248) 857-7102
Email: europeds@nomc.org
Medical Director: Colleen Noble, M.D., FAAP
Director: Michelle Saunders, MSPT
Earlier this week a Lewiston family and their son who has cerebral palsy received a nearly $8 million medical malpractice award in a lawsuit against Central Maine Medical Center and one of its midwives.
The plaintiff’s alleged that the midwife and the Lewiston hospital should have recommended an emergency Caesarean section when their baby appeared to be in fetal distress. Furthermore, that the fetal distress was caused by a lack of oxygen and blood to the child’s brain.
As a result of the fetal distress the child now has cerebral palsy.
Earlier this week a Brockton family received a verdict of $26.5 million. The Plaintiffs alleged that the doctors failed to recognize the signs of fetal distress and didn't perform a Caesarian section fast enough the morning of March 14, 1997. Furthermore, the plaintiffs stated that this delay resulted in Jose Bejarano Jr developing Cerebral palsy.
It was an award for him,” said Bejarano, 42, a self-employed trucker. “It’s for him just to make his life better, as much as we can.”
Bejarano and his wife, Maria, said the money allows them to continue to care for Jose at home.
Earlier this month, a Polk County jury awarded Debra Gardner, of Leon, Iowa, more than $13 million. Deb Gardner sued Broadlawns Medical Center and several doctors after her son Nathaniel, 4, was born at the hospital with cerebral palsy.
Ms. Gardner claimed that when Nathaniel was born in 2002, the doctor failed to monitor him during the cesarean section procedure. As doctors prepared to perform a c-section on Deb Gardner, she says they stopped monitoring her baby's heartbeat. Furthermore, a spinal anesthetic caused her blood pressure to drop, which cut off oxygen to the baby. Finally, she says doctors did not realize there was a problem and took their time performing the c-section.
Below is a speech given at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine's "Spotlight on Cerebral Palsy."
Earlier this month a Glendale California Superior Court jury awarded an estimated $96 million in future damages to a child who developed a neurological disorder caused by untreated jaundice shortly after his birth four years ago at Verdugo Hills Hospital.
According to the lawsuit, the child exhibited several risk factors for kernicterus, a neurological disorder that can cause developmental delays, cerebral palsy and hearing loss, when he developed jaundice shortly after birth.
The untreated jaundice was a sign of the buildup of bilirubin, a yellow bile pigment, produced in greater quantities than a baby's liver can excrete. The jury found that the doctors and medical staff should have been alert the possibility that this buildup could be life threatening and given him the appropriate medical treatment to reduce the bilirubin buildup.
This is the story of Noah. Noah suffered a stroke and now has Cerebral Palsy (CP).
The term stroke is commonly used to describe bleeding in the brain. Intracranial breeding can have several causes including broken blood vessels in the brain, clogged blood vessels, or abnormal blood cells. Strokes can occur in the fetus during pregnancy and in a newborn around the time of birth, damaging the brain tissue and causing neurological problems. Respiratory distress is common in premature infants and is one of the more common causes of strokes in newborns. Additionally, women experiencing coagulation disorders should be seen as having an increased risk for stroke in the fetus and should be treated as such. These are just a few of the more common causes of a stroke in the fetus or newborn many others exist and often should have been foreseen by the doctor and may have been prevented.
In honor of Father’s Day I am reposting these two videos of the inspirational father and son tri-athletes Dick and Rick Hoyt. Rick has cerebral palsy and competes with his father’s assistance. This father and son team truly proves their motto “I CAN.”
A Chicago family reached a $14 million settlement with Northwestern Memorial Hospital Tuesday after their son suffered a severe brain injury during birth resulting in Cerebral Palsy.
The Plaintiffs asserted that their baby boy was not breathing when he was born and that emergency staffers were not prepared to resuscitate him because the doctors mistook the mothers pulse for the child’s. The obstetrician and nurse allegedly misinterpreted the boy's heart rate before the delivery and did not realize the baby was in fetal distress; furthermore, a neonatal resuscitation team was not called to help the newborn until after he was delivered.
As a result, the child went without oxygen for seven minutes which caused him to suffer from spastic quadriplegia.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed an experimental system that allows patients with Cerebral Palsy to use the internet to connect with physical therapists and engage in physical therapy (PT) online.
This joint research and movement therapy project called the Upper Limb Training and Assessment Program (ULTrA) is specially designed to aid adults and teens with cerebral palsy that have upper limb and hand impairment. This Program utilizes the Internet and streaming video to allow patients to connect to "virtual trainers" and real-life experts at the U-M motor control lab via their home computer to complete movement based therapy programs. The therapy consists of 40 minute training sessions done five days a week for eight weeks. Additionally, the project collects data to determine how well the in-home therapy is working.
Physical therapy is critical in maintaining and increasing dexterity. Often, however, the demands of everyday life make it difficult to schedule and keep appointments at a PT center, with this new technology patients are able to complete therapy when it is convenient for them directly from their homes.
For more information about ULTrA contact:
Colleen Lewis, Ph. D.
The Division of Kinesiology
University of Michigan
401 Washtenaw Ave.
Ann Arbor , MI , 48109-2214
Phone: (734)-763-5829
E-mail: ultra@umich.edu
Today, a jury in Bell County, Texas awarded a family $12.8 million in a case involving cerebral palsy. The case was brought against Scott and White Memorial Hospital and three doctors that were involved in the pregnancy/birth.
The attorneys on both sides were able to reach a settlement before the verdict was reached. Although the settlement is confidential the Plaintiffs were “…very pleased…”
The New England Journal of Medicine recently published an article entitled Cesarean Delivery and the Risk–Benefit Calculus by Jeffrey L. Ecker, M.D., and Fredric D. Frigoletto, Jr., M.D. This article explains several reasons for an increase of cesarean deliveries over the past several years.
The article states that from 1937 to 2005 there has been an increase in c- sections of 1000% (10 times), in fact, as of 2005 nearly 30% of all deliveries are by C-section. If this trend continues many potential birth injuries such as, cerebral palsy and erb's palsy will be avoided. I believe the increase is due to three factors.
The first factor is the advance in medical treatment for the mother. In 1937, 6% of patients died after cesarean delivery, this has decreased by a factor of nearly 1000 due to modern antibiotics, anesthetic techniques, blood banks, and critical care units. As the risk decreases for the mother more doctors and mothers are willing to deliver via c-section.
Next, the advances of prenatal care and prenatal technology such as ultrasound and fetal heart monitoring have lead to an increase in cesarean deliveries. With new technology doctors are better equipped to determine if the fetus is in distress, may become distressed or may have difficulty progressing in a vaginal birth, thus, avoiding many birth injuries such as Erb’s Palsy and hypoxia which leads to Cerebral Palsy.
Finally, as medical treatment advances women that would not have otherwise been able to conceive are getting pregnant, and at advanced ages.
“…there has been a 3.8-year increase since 1970 in the mean age at first delivery, and since 1990, births to women 35 to 39 years of age and 40 to 44 years of age have increased by 43% and 62%, respectively. In addition, the number of premature and low-birth-weight neonates has increased, in part as a function of the increasing number of multiple gestations (121,246 in 2001 vs. 68,339 in 1980), many of which have resulted, in turn, from the use of assisted reproductive technology — assistance necessitated in many cases by advancing maternal age.”
I believe as technology increases so too will the rate of cesarean deliveries.
This is a video of a mother whose child has cerebral palsy discussing the treatments her child has gone through and the results they have seen.
Deciding which treatment is best for your child is an extremely difficult decision, especially when doctors have differing views of what may be best for your child. This decision gets even more difficult when the treatment is permanent. These topics as well as several treatment options are discussed in this video.
Birth injuries sustained to the second child born during a twin pregnancy, were allegedly caused when he did not receive enough oxygen during the delivery in May 2005 which led to the child developing Cerebral Palsy.
Here, the plaintiff’s contend that the medical Records indicate that limbs were blue and that the child was not breathing when he was delivered about an hour after his sister. In most situations a child’s medical record will contain an APGAR score (Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance, and Respiration) this test was designed to quickly evaluate a newborn's physical condition after delivery and to determine any immediate need for medical or emergency care. A score of 8 or above at 1 and 5 minutes usually indicates a child is not in need for immediate help, however, this is not always the case.
The defense is claiming that the child had the condition in utero and for some time. To defeat this, the Plaintiffs are asserting that the damage to the brain was caused by oxygen deprivation at the time of delivery. To support this claim their attorney is stating that if cerebral palsy developed before delivery it would damage large portions of the brain, instead of localized damage that this child has suffered.
Due to the fact that this claim is against the Military it will fall under the Federal Tort Claim Act
(FTCA, August 2, 1946, ch. 753, title IV, 60 Stat. 842, 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b) and 28 U.S.C. §§ 2671-2680), a statute enacted by the United States Congress in 1946 permitting private parties to sue the United States in a federal court for torts committed by persons acting on behalf of the United States. Liability under the FTCA is limited to "circumstances where the United States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred." 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b).
After the six-month period, if the family is not satisfied with the Military’s response, they
can file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court.
Although, in the past several medical malpractice cases involving cerebral palsy have had verdicts in excess of $100 million this case is only in its initial stages and will be defended vigorously. In fact, to demonstrate this, the military went to the media before the suit was even filed, a highly unusual move and one I have rarely seen.
Researchers determined that children are more likely to develop cerebral palsy following injury to the developing brain when E4 allele of the Apolipoprotein E, or APOE, gene is present.
To conduct this study, researchers at Children's Memorial Research Center compared the APOE gene in 209 children with cerebral palsy to healthy children of the same gender, race and ethnicity. They found that young children with the E4 allele who suffer a brain injury are more susceptible to developing cerebral palsy.
"The gene isn't causing the cerebral palsy. It's making you at greater risk to develop it, but another injury is needed." said Mark Wainwright, professor of pediatric neurology at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
The overall population has two of the three alleles of the APOE gene, which produces the E4 protein in the brain. The protein is involved in neural repair, but E4 creates a protein that is less able to regulate brain inflammation following an injury. Children with E4 are more likely to have brain damage following an injury and are less capable of repairing it, just as adults who carry the E4 form of the APOE gene may be more susceptible to developing Alzheimer's disease and have worse outcome after brain injury, including stroke and head injury.
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, may benefit children who are at risk for poor neurodevelopmental outcome after brain injury as newborns and thus target those children for early therapeutic intervention.
Unfortunately, I believe the possible candidates for early intervention may be greatly reduced if the child suffered hypoxia (lack of oxygen at birth) or other preventable injuries due to the fact that the doctor may have been at fault and not want to accept the responsibility/liability. By stating that the child suffered an injury at birth and recommending the child for early intervention the doctor will inevitably be opening the door to questions from the parents about what caused the injury. If however, he/she remains silent the injury will most likely not be discovered for several years, if at all, as most instances of medical malpractice go undetected.
Jayne Matthews of the Baltimore Times recently wrote a heart warming story describing how The Parents’ Place of Maryland (a group comprised exclusively of parents of a child with a learning or developmental disability) began and how the effort continues. In her latest article Matthews describes some of the emotions parents of disabled children go through and the amazing efforts made by The Parents’ Place of Maryland to assist the parents and children.
Matthews discusses how, unfortunately, parents of disabled children often feel isolated by feelings of “distress of a bleak prognosis” coupled with “anxiety over the future (how will my child survive a lifetime of limitations?)” and “guilt of the past (did I do something to cause this?)” and a “sense of anger (why is this happening to my family?).”
Matthews further explains how The Parents’ Place of Maryland, Josie Thomas, Kim McKay, Kelly Meissner and so many others have helped over 45,000 families since its inception in 1990.
For the full article click Here.
The resources are offered to the children and parents of children with disabilities throughout Maryland, regardless of the nature of their child's disability or the age of their child. They include conducting regular parent education courses and workshops, helping parents find information, providing referrals to other individuals or organizations, working with parents directly to help them obtain the best possible services for their children, maintaining an up-to-date list of support groups for parents in Maryland and publishing a quarterly newsletter for everyone interested in childrens' needs
This is a great organization and I applaud their effort.
Here is their contact info:
Parents' Place of Maryland
801 Cromwell Park Drive, Suite 103,
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Telephone (voice or TDD): (410) 768-9100
FAX: (410) 768-0830
Email: info@ppmd.org
http://www.ppmd.org/index.asp
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a fairly broad term used to describe permanent neurological disorders characterized by loss of movement or loss of nerve function. In the USA this disorder occurs in approximately 4 live births per 1,000. Cerebral palsy is often caused by hypoxia or lack of oxygen to the brain occurring during or near the time of birth.
Often, at birth no signs of cerebral palsy may be easily observed. As the child grows and their nervous system matures, however, signs of the condition may become pronounced. These signs may become noticeable by the age of three months and include the child missing many of the normal developmental milestones, such as, failure to react to sudden noises, lack of facial expression, or failure to follow objects with his/her eyes. Over time additional symptoms may follow which include: slow development in terms of rolling over, smiling, crawling, walking, and talking, decreased muscle tone or "floppy" limbs, vision or hearing problems, and poor coordination.
Please visit our website for a more information regarding Cerebral Palsy including:
Medical Malpractice and Cerebral Palsy
