Understanding Cerebral Palsy Life Expectancy for Your Child
If you have a child who has developed cerebral palsy due to a birth injury, then you already know that their condition will have a significant effect on their life and yours. While you likely have a number of questions about treatments and how to help your child, you probably also have questions about your child’s life expectancy now that cerebral palsy is a reality of their life and yours.
Though it has a range of severities and types, cerebral palsy is fortunately not a degenerative and progressive disease. Thus, your child’s symptoms should not become progressively worse as they age. As a result, in some cases, cerebral palsy may not have much of a negative effect on a child’s life expectancy at all. However, that is not always the case, so it’s important to learn as much as you can about cerebral palsy life expectancy and how you can help your child.
What Is the Average Cerebral Palsy Life Expectancy?
A child who has a milder type of cerebral palsy can generally expect to live to about 70 years old and may live even longer with proper treatment and physical therapy. Children with more severe cases may have a much shorter life expectancy of just 30 years, though. Children with intellectual disabilities, as well as mobility limitations, are generally expected to have a shorter lifespan than those with milder cases of cerebral palsy.
It’s important to note that cerebral palsy life expectancy is not only determined by the type and severity of the condition. It is also positively affected by the right types of treatment. With quality treatment, a child with CP can expect to live well into their adult years. Unfortunately, though, proper treatment can be hindered by parents’ financial situations, which is why it’s essential to find out what kind of financial help you may be owed for your child’s condition.
Getting Help with Treatment for Your Child’s Cerebral Palsy
If your child has developed cerebral palsy due to a birth injury, then your doctor or another medical professional may be responsible for the injury and should be held accountable for it. A birth injury that could have been prevented by your medical practitioner is a case of medical malpractice, and if it results in the development of cerebral palsy, the doctor or medical institution may owe you compensation to help you give your child the best treatment possible to help extend their cerebral palsy life expectancy.
Cerebral Palsy and Your Child’s Health
Because cerebral palsy is so often caused by a single injury (in many cases, a birth injury), and because it paralyzes a certain region of the brain, it can be more or less severe and can cause varying types and degrees of problems for the body. Thus, it may have little effect on a child’s health, or it could cause major issues.
For example, a child with cerebral palsy may have trouble controlling their mouth muscles and may, therefore, have problems eating regularly. This kind of problem can easily cause issues with malnutrition, which can not only affect a child’s physical development but may also be fatal.
Likewise, infants with cerebral palsy may suffer from seizures and/or erratic, uncontrolled, and unpredictable movements. This can cause issues with swallowing, sucking, bladder control, control of the neck and spine, and other issues.
Improving Your Child’s Life Expectancy
No parent ever wants to live through the tragedy of surviving past their own child. To help your child with cerebral palsy improve their life expectancy, you can talk with a qualified doctor about the best treatments for them, including options like physical therapy, occupational therapy, surgery, and medications. Many children with cerebral palsy grow up to be functional, independent, and healthy adults and most of them get there with the right treatments.
If your child has developed cerebral palsy due to a birth injury, you will no doubt want to give them the best life and the longest lifespan possible. At Birth Injury Center, we’re here for you with the information and representation you need to get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and help your child get the best treatments possible.