Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy

The whole body is affected in patients with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, or spastic quadriplegia. The word spastic means stiff, the combining form quadri means four (in this case referring to four quadrants of the body), and plegia means paralysis.

Symptoms of Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy

Both arms, legs, and the trunk are affected in children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. This drastic condition prevents most patients from walking, interferes with speech, stiffens the limbs, and causes the neck to flop. It is common for these patients to have seizures.

This kind of cerebral palsy causes moderate to severe mental retardation. Two goals for treating these patients is to increase their mobility and make them comfortable.

Causes of Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy

This severe form of cerebral palsy can have a number of causes. All involve some form of damage to or deformity of the brain. They include:

  • Periventricular leukomalacias or minute holes in the brain’s white matter
  • Strokes in the fetal brain
  • Lack of oxygen in the fetal brain
  • Problems during labor and delivery that interfere with oxygen getting to the brain

This form of cerebral palsy can also be caused by certain health problems in the mother, such as:

  • High blood pressure
  • Severe low blood pressure
  • Infections, especially pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Viral infections
  • Drug addiction

Because the whole body is affected, quadriplegic cerebral palsy can present many kinds of complications. These can include:

  • Scoliosis or curvature of the spine
  • Difficulty walking
  • Ankle equinus involving limited ankle flexibility and leading to walking on the toes
  • Foot drop, which makes it difficult to raise the front part of the foot
  • Problems swallowing, which can lead to aspiration of food and breathing problems, malnutrition, bladder and bowel disorders
  • Shortened life expectancy

The severity of quadriplegia can range from mild to very serious.

Contact a Connecticut Cerebral Palsy Attorney

If you have a child with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, you might want to contact a birth injury attorney to find out your right to compensation. The Berkowitz Law firm is experienced in handling these types of cases and will be able to help you seek the compensation you deserve.

To schedule a consultation with a qualified Connecticut cerebral palsy lawyer, please call 1-866-314-9352.

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