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.

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.

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

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 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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.