Is Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy Preventable?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a blanket term for disorders that feature early-onset movement, balance, and posture impairment caused by some type of brain injury that occurs during pregnancy, delivery, or shortly after birth. While CP is a lifelong disorder with no cure, it also does not get worse over time, and a wide range of treatments and therapies can be used to improve symptoms and quality of life.

Around 1 in 300 people in America have some form of cerebral palsy, making it the most common movement disorder in childhood, and most children receive their diagnosis by the time they’re two years old.

What Is Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy?

Hypotonic cerebral palsy, also sometimes referred to as atonic cerebral palsy, is one of the rarest types of CP, accounting for only 2.6 percent of all cases. It’s characterized by low muscle tone, which can manifest in symptoms such as:

• poor balance and stability
• poor depth perception
• an unsteady walk
• poor coordination or clumsiness
• lack of head control
• awkward movements
• slow reflexes
• posture problems
• excessive flexibility
• drooling or difficulty chewing or swallowing
• difficulty breathing and speaking

Children and infants with hypotonic CP are often identified by their “floppy” appearance. Muscle instability caused by hypotonic CP can cause children to miss significant developmental milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking. While CP is usually diagnosed before age 2, it’s not unusual for hypotonic CP to be diagnosed later. Because it’s such a rare subtype of CP and the symptoms can mimic many other conditions associated with low muscle tone, it may be initially identified as a muscle disorder, genetic disorder, infection, or even a hormonal abnormality.

What Causes Hypotonic CP?

Developing fetuses and infants up to age one can develop CP if they experience some type of brain injury or abnormal brain development. In the case of hypotonic CP, that damage is done in a part of the brain called the cerebellum. The cerebellum controls balance and coordination, and damage to this area can result in abnormal motor function and muscle tone. This type of damage to the cerebellum can be caused by:

• brain infections, such as encephalitis or meningitis
• shock (a life-threatening state that occurs when the body’s blood pressure drops suddenly)
• brain bleeding before, during, or after birth
• traumatic brain injury, such as shaken baby syndrome
• seizures at or shortly after birth
• certain genetic conditions
• medical malpractice

The most common risk factor for a CP diagnosis, preterm birth, can increase the risk of brain injury in many ways, as preemies are more prone to developing brain bleeds, infections, seizures, and unstable blood pressure than infants born at term. But sometimes, brain damage resulting in hypotonic cerebral palsy is a direct result of a healthcare provider’s negligence. Examples of medical malpractice that can lead to an infant developing CP include:

• excessively pulling on the infant’s head, neck, or shoulders during delivery
• failure to detect or treat maternal infection
• failure to detect fetal distress during labor
• failure to perform a necessary C-section
• improper use of forceps or vacuum delivery

Is Hypotonic CP Treatable?

Unfortunately, once damage has been done to the brain, that damage is usually permanent. While there’s no cure, treatments like physical, speech, and occupational therapies can help improve the quality of life for many people with hypotonic CP. Mobility aids, such as leg braces, walkers, and wheelchairs, can also help, and some people may benefit from medications and/or surgery.

Was Your Child’s Hypotonic CP Diagnosis A Result Of Medical Malpractice?

Doctors are trained to know how to handle emergencies and complicated births. If the doctors and nurses who delivered your baby made careless mistakes that led to your child being diagnosed with hypotonic cerebral palsy, they should be held accountable. Medical malpractice victims and their families deserve to be compensated for past and future costs related to any required therapies, medications, assistive devices, and any pain and suffering that the victim and their families have endured.

While the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania usually only gives victims two years from the date of their injury to file a suit, birth injuries that result in conditions like cerebral palsy are different. Pennsylvania’s Minor’s Tolling Statute says that if the injury happens to a child under 18, the two-year limit doesn’t begin until their 18th birthday. That means they have until their 20th birthday to file a claim. Still, if your child has been diagnosed with hypotonic CP, it’s essential to seek out an experienced attorney as soon as possible if you think that medical negligence was involved.

Why Choose Ross Feller Casey?

The legal team at Ross Feller Casey has built a nationally recognized reputation for obtaining record-breaking results for victims of birth injuries like hypotonic cerebral palsy. Our experienced attorneys and on-staff team of Ivy League-trained doctors will work together to ensure that the healthcare providers whose negligent actions lead to your child’s brain injury are held accountable. There’s no fee unless you win, so contact us today for a free consultation.