Spastic Quadriplegia: What Is It and Why Does It Happen?

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurological condition caused by an injury to or abnormal development of the parts of the brain that control movement, resulting in lifelong motor and muscular disabilities. The injury is most common in utero but can occur during childbirth or shortly thereafter.

Babies suffering from cerebral palsy show physical developmental setbacks such as the inability to roll over, crawl, stand, or walk relative to their same-aged peers. Long term, patients diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia are wheelchair dependent, have little to no control of their arms and legs, and often have speech, vision, and hearing deficits.

Birth injuries like spastic quadriplegia (also known as spastic tetraplegia) are often the result of medical malpractice before, during, or just after childbirth. Pregnancy, labor, and delivery are intricate processes that require the utmost care. As educated and trained professionals, medical providers should consistently and effectively monitor babies’ heart rates and the contraction progressions of the mothers throughout the labor and birthing process. Routine monitoring can help prevent a baby’s suffering a loss of oxygen, which can lead to severe—even deadly— onsequences.

When complications occur, but the baby and mother were monitored correctly, medical providers should be able to promptly identify any fetal distress and respond immediately. In doing so, the provider can help prevent permanent injury to all parties involved. However, a lack of oxygen to the newborn during labor and delivery is a medical emergency and, without immediate intervention, can result in permanent injuries to the brain such as spastic quadriplegia.

There is no cure for any form of cerebral palsy, including spastic quadriplegia, but there are treatments available to help parents manage the symptoms as they raise their children. Unfortunately, the cost of care for a child with these conditions is very high and often times out of reach of the people who need it most.

If you believe your child’s cerebral palsy may have been caused by a medical mistake, the experienced birth injury lawyers at The Yost Legal Group are here to help. Call The Yost Legal Group today at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a FREE, confidential, no-obligation consultation. When you call, you will speak with a Baltimore birth injury attorney with real experience, absolutely free.