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Birth injuries like cerebral palsy require ongoing care

On Behalf of | Sep 18, 2017 | Birth Injuries

New York parents facing the consequences of a birth injury may have many concerns and questions about what to expect as their children grow. Birth injuries such as cerebral palsy present unique circumstances and risks that often require a lifetime of monitoring and care. In addition to physical issues, CP may present social and developmental issues.

Perhaps most obviously, the health issues facing CP patients are those involving the musculoskeletal system. However, some victims of this birth injury suffer from gastrointestinal illnesses, especially acid reflux, constipation and some bladder problems. Any of these could lead to serious complications. Children with CP may have difficulty managing their saliva, either by excessive drooling or aspirating, which often leads to lung diseases.

The damage to the brain may make it difficult for CP patients to chew and swallow, resulting in poor nutrition and hydration. Often, those who care for children with CP must employ feeding tubes or obtain the assistance of a clinical nutritionist to maintain the child’s strength. It is essential to achieve a nutritional balance to avoid obesity, on one extreme, and malnutrition on the other.

Birth injuries resulting in CP may leave a child with seizure disorders, learning disabilities, speech and language challenges and cognitive difficulties. Medical and therapeutic expenses can be enormous when dealing with the lifelong consequences of such injuries. Those families facing the difficult road of raising a child with a birth injury such as cerebral palsy would do well to consult a New York attorney to explore their options for potentially recovering damages.

Source: mychildwithoutlimits.org, “Common Health Problems Associated With Cerebral Palsy”, Sept. 16, 2017

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