Fertility Treatment May Increase the Risk of Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury
A recent study released in June 2010 in the medical journal Human Reproduction shows that the assisted contraception treatments In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Ovulation Induction (OI) lead to increased risk of Cerebral Palsy (CP) for the resulting births. The study concludes that the increased in danger results from resulting multiplicity and premature delivery, rather than any flaws in the procedures.
The study was performed by Danish researchers who looked at medical records and found that IVF births were almost twice as likely to result in CP. IO births were 1.5 times as likely. However, when compared with natural conception births of multiples and premature deliveries, there was no increase in CP, showing that multiplicity and early deliver were likely the main causes of the increased risk.
Special Care for Mothers of Multiples
Mothers of multiples need special care to help prevent birth injuries like Cerebral Palsy. CP injury can occur before, during or shortly following birth. Mothers should expect to see the doctor more frequently and to undergo more tests than single-birth mothers to help reduce the risk.
Dangers In Vitro
Doctors should prescribe additional vitamins to insure proper nutrition for the developing infants. Obstetricians must keep a constant vigil against preterm delivery, slowed growth rates, low or unequal birth weights and the potential death of a fetus. Doctors may also help the expectant mother to enroll in a pre-term birth prevention program, which may include immediate access to NICU if the children are born early.
Birth Complications
Other dangers are present during the birth itself. C-sections are more likely to be necessary depending on the position of the babies when labor begins. The decision to birth vaginally may result in complications, but C-sections may create a more difficult recovery for the mother.
After the Birth
After delivery, premature infants will need special care to ensure they receive adequate oxygen, warmth and nutrition. The danger of Cerebral Palsy rises with each week of prematurity so doctors must do all they can to keep mothers from delivering early.
If the infant’s brain is deprived of vital oxygen for even a short time, irreversible damage to the brain and nerves can leave the child with permanent problems, developmental delays, motor dysfunctions and other difficulties. They may also suffer from seizures, cognitive impairments or sensory problems.
In some unfortunate circumstances, Cerebral Palsy may happen because of a medical mistake during prenatal care, delivery or soon after the birth. In such cases, the new family may need to consider filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in order to secure the help, advice and benefits they will need to manage the difficulties associated with raising a child that has CP.
If your child or children suffer from CP and you believe it was because of a medical error, contact our office to learn about assistance than might be available to you. You may be able to file a claim for benefits to pay for the extensive care and therapy your children need.
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