Can Doctors Prevent Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a chronic condition that affects the part of the brain that controls motor activity.

Children suffering from cerebral palsy may have problems with coordination, muscle control, learning, and sensory perception. Cerebral palsy can occur at any stage during pregnancy, childbirth, or in the first few years of a child’s life. Unfortunately, many cases of cerebral palsy are a result of medical negligence. There are certain steps that a doctor can take to prevent cerebral palsy or reduce the probability of its occurrence.

Preventing Asphyxia Leading to Cerebral Palsy

One of the common causes of brain damage resulting in cerebral palsy is oxygen deprivation or asphyxia. There are various factors that can lead to asphyxia including excessive bleeding during delivery, prolonged labor, maternal shock, and umbilical cord problems. A doctor must look for signs of distress in the mother and baby during delivery and respond to it immediately.

Checking Rh Incompatibility

Rh is a protein factor, which most of us inherit genetically. If the mother lacks Rh factor and her baby carries it, the baby is at risk of developing Rh disease. It is a condition in which the immune system of the mother identifies the baby’s blood cells as foreign and attacks them. This disease can lead to severe complications such as brain damage and jaundice, which can eventually cause cerebral palsy.

If a doctor performs a blood test during pregnancy to check the Rh compatibility between the mother and the child, the condition can be diagnosed and corrective action taken. The mother may be injected with a blood product that will stop the mother’s immune system from attacking the baby’s blood cells. This treatment has to be provided 28 weeks into pregnancy to be effective. Failure to diagnose Rh compatibility and treat it in time can lead to cerebral palsy.

Preventing Infections

There are many infections that can contribute to cerebral palsy, and by addressing these infections, the disorder may be prevented. Infections that may lead to cerebral palsy include rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, urinary tract or reproductive tract infections, and infections of the placental membranes.

These infections can directly cause or contribute to cerebral palsy; a doctor will watch for any signs of these infections during pregnancy. Timely intervention may prevent any complications leading to cerebral palsy. After the delivery, the baby may receive vaccinations against infections such as meningitis that can cause cerebral palsy.