Illinois Cerebral Palsy Statistics

Cerebral Palsy Facts From Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers

Illinois cerebral palsy statistics show that medical mistakes during pregnancy, labor, and delivery significantly increase the risk of a child developing this disorder. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder that affects muscle development, movement, and posture. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 345 childrenin the United States suffers from CP. 

This neurological disorder results in developmental delays that can require costly medical intervention and even round-the-clock care. While some CP cases are preventable, many could have been avoided with proper medical intervention. If your child’s cerebral palsy was due to medical malpractice, our birth injury law firm can help. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your legal options. 

What Is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common childhood disabilities that affects muscular movement. Most commonly, children with cerebral palsy develop the disability due to brain damage before, during, or after birth.

A birth injury causes as many as 70% of cerebral palsy cases. Children with CP may show stiffened muscles, a lack of muscle development, an inability to balance, and jerky, uncontrolled movements. Cerebral palsy statistics worldwide show that 1.6 out of 1,000 live births will result in a CP diagnosis.

Risk Factors of Cerebral Palsy

Common risks for cerebral palsy include race, birth weight, and gender. Other risk factors for children with CP include the mother’s health during pregnancy and the medical care received during labor and delivery. Here are a few additional cerebral palsy statistics related to disability risks.

Race

Black children were 29% more likely to develop cerebral palsy than white and Hispanic children. This could be because black mothers are 1.5 times more likely to suffer preterm labor.

Gender

Males tend to be at a higher risk of CP than females. Experts believe this may be due to varying brain organizations and genetic variants found in males. However, females are not immune to brain damage suffered from birth.

Low Birth Weight and Premature Birth

Birth weight is one of the top cerebral palsy risk factors. Children born with a lower birth weight or born preterm are at an increased risk of developing CP. This is because the last few weeks of pregnancy are crucial for brain development. If a child is born too early, they are at a high risk for a number of childhood disabilities, including cerebral palsy. 

The Illinois Department of Health considers a preterm birth to be a baby born before 37 weeks. Babies born before full development are more likely to have breathing difficulties and intellectual disability. They are also more likely to be diagnosed with cerebral palsy. 

The March of Dimes rates individual states based on maternal and infant health. They gave the state of Illinois a D for 2024 based on high preterm birth rates.

Winnebago County reported the highest rate of preterm births in Illinois. While improving year over year, Chicago reported a 10.6% preterm birth rate.

Illinois overall reported an occurrence of 8.65% of low birth weight deliveries in 2022.

Income

Income can also impact CP cases. More recent research shows that the prevalence of cerebral palsy has decreased in high-income countries to 1.6 per 1,000 live births. This could be due to access to better healthcare in medium- to high-income cities.

Birth Injury

Every year, approximately 6-8 in 1,000 children suffer an injury during childbirth. A birth injury can lead to cerebral palsy. Medical professionals who fail to take prompt care during labor and delivery may be to blame when a child later develops cerebral palsy. 

A lack of oxygen is one of the most common reasons that a child may develop cerebral palsy after birth. It takes about four minutes for the human brain to suffer damage from oxygen deprivation. The umbilical cord can wrap around the baby’s neck, or the placenta can detach prematurely, both of which are conditions that require prompt medical treatment. 

Additionally, the use of specific labor and delivery tools during childbirth can increase the risk of children with cerebral palsy. Many labor and delivery physicians use forceps. These tools can put too much pressure on the baby’s skull, which is much softer than an adult’s. Currently, about 3% of births involve forceps or vacuums. 

Multiple Birth Pregnancies

Research also shows that historically, women who give birth to multiples at one time have a higher risk of having children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. A European population-based study found that while having twins or higher-order multiples increased the risk of children with CP, the overall incident rate had decreased, most likely due to improvements in prenatal care.

Pregnancy Health

The health of the mother during pregnancy can also influence the risk of giving birth to children with cerebral palsy. Smoking during pregnancy doubles the risk of premature birth. Unfortunately, a study by the CDC found that approximately 4.3% of Illinois mothers smoked during their pregnancy. 

High blood pressure during pregnancy can also increase the risk of premature birth or low birth weight. In 2022, approximately 16.8% of pregnant women in Illinois were diagnosed with high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia, which could increase the risk of premature labor. 

Another maternal health factor that may contribute to cerebral palsy is maternal diabetes. Diabetic women are at higher risk of a difficult labor, which can lead to hypoxia. Their babies may also have a higher birth weight, which can lead to labor complications. Illinois statistics show that 14.1% of mothers were diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which is high blood sugar during pregnancy in women who did not previously have diabetes. 

Other contributing factors during pregnancy include the mother being of an unhealthy weight, having a previous preterm birth, and carrying multiples. 

Pregnant women must receive high-quality obstetric care, such as at Northwestern Medicine or UChicago Medicine, to avoid complications. However, they must also avoid smoking, manage pre-existing conditions, and take prenatal vitamins. 

Medical Negligence

Medical negligence is one of the major reasons that otherwise healthy children develop CP. A study of birth records from multiple hospitals around the United States found that some of the most common causes of medical negligence included failure to diagnose high blood pressure conditions and failure to quantify women’s blood loss during labor and delivery.

Failing to identify maternal infections or monitor maternal health in general is one of the highest CP risk factors in babies born with CP. Chorioamnionitis has been shown to increase the risk of a child being born with cerebral palsy.

Diagnosing Cerebral Palsy

Historically, children don’t receive a cerebral palsy diagnosis until between two and three years of age. However, more monitoring tests can help parents identify high-risk children far before this. Pediatric neurology experts, such as those at Rush University Medical Center, can also help speed up the timeline to diagnosis.

Most commonly, children with cerebral palsy fail to meet developmental milestones, which leads to their parents seeking medical care. A physician may order a neurological exam or imaging to review the developing brain. Based on these results, they may diagnose the child with Cerebral Palsy.

If you suspect your child may have cerebral palsy or another developmental issue like Autism Spectrum Disorder, it’s crucial to find specialists who can assist in their care. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is one of the leading children’s hospitals in the United States, located in the Streeterville neighborhood of downtown Chicago. The hospital’s specialists can properly diagnose cerebral palsy and provide crucial support for parents struggling to understand how this will impact their child’s life. 

Parents with a child newly diagnosed with cerebral palsy may struggle with identifying a cause and determining blame. Some parents may be falsely advised that it’s not possible to identify a cause. However, specific events that take place during labor and delivery are common causes of disabilities, including cerebral palsy. A lack of oxygen, trauma to the head, or untreated infections are all common risk factors for developing cerebral palsy. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that 82.9% of children who develop CP will have spastic cerebral palsy. This means they have spastic movements or two or more limbs. Quad cerebral palsy means spastic movements of all four limbs. Additional types include spastic double (both arms or both legs) or spastic half (one arm and one leg).

Clinical research on cerebral palsy is ongoing. The Cerebral Palsy Research Network is actively working on learning more about CP, including its genetic contributions and treatment availability. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network also helps experts better understand brain injuries, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and developmental disabilities. This ongoing research will help better understand human development and reduce the risk of preventable cerebral palsy. 

Co-Occurring Injuries With Cerebral Palsy

Other developmental disabilities may also accompany cerebral palsy. A common co-occurring disability is epilepsy.

Other commonly co-occurring disorders with cerebral palsy include vision impairment, hearing loss, learning disabilities, or intellectual disability. Some children with spastic CP may also experience respiratory problems or incontinence.

Many cerebral palsy risk factors can also lead to other neurological issues in children, which may require additional care. However, when a child’s cerebral palsy is caused by medical negligence, this may also be the cause of a common co-occurring condition.

Life with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition caused by damage to the developing brain before, during, or after birth. Treatment options depend on factors like a child’s age at diagnosis, overall health, and type of CP. 

Many patients require ongoing treatment, such as physical therapy and medications, which can be costly. Additional costs can include mobility aids, assistive devices to help children talk, and orthotic braces to support those with lower muscle tone. 

It’s estimated that cerebral palsy costs $22,383 a year to treat. Costs were higher for nonambulatory children versus ambulatory children. The estimated total lifetime cost is nearly $1 million, which does not include things like an inability to work. About 69% of all individuals with cerebral palsy are unemployed, with white individuals being more likely to gain successful employment. This is likely due to the fact that white children have more access to therapeutic resources, especially during critical developmental periods. 

Thankfully, a variety of resources are available throughout Chicagoland and Illinois to assist those dealing with a CP diagnosis. The Cerebral Palsy Foundation can help families navigate life with cerebral palsy, including recommendations for doctors and therapies. The University of Illinois-Chicago Division of Specialized Care for Children also provides free care coordination for children with disabilities, including caregiver resources to avoid burnout. 

Parents who believe a medical error brought on their child’s cerebral palsy should consider talking with a lawyer. A lawsuit can provide parents with the financial compensation they need to cover medical costs and handle additional therapies throughout the child’s life. 

Lawyers will estimate the expected care costs over the child’s lifetime so that families are sure that they have the financial support they need to thrive. 

Laws Surrounding Medical Malpractice in Illinois

To pursue a medical malpractice case, the plaintiff must demonstrate that they were a patient of the medical professional and that the defendant did not adhere to common standards of care. The standard of care refers to what is considered good practice in that specific specialty, such as the standards set by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 

As an example, vacuum extractions are generally considered a tool of last resort because they can result in facial deformities or brain injuries. If the doctor chose to use a vacuum extraction for convenience rather than medical necessity, this could be considered malpractice. 

A plaintiff must also have an affidavit of merit from another practicing physician who can attest to the fact that negligence led to the child’s diagnosis. 

As shown in the Illinois Supreme Court Case Giegoldt v. Condell Medical Center, it is not enough for the affidavit to simply state that negligence contributed to the injury. Rather, the physician must explain what the proper standard of care is and what a reasonably competent physician would have done in that case. They will then show the reasons why the defendant’s actions deviated from that standard of care. 

This can be complicated, as cerebral palsy occurs for a number of reasons, some of which are due to the mother’s actions during pregnancy. We will use medical records and other evidence to show that your child was not at an elevated risk of birth defects and that the doctor’s actions contributed to the injury. 

Obtaining records can sometimes be difficult, especially as hospitals may intentionally destroy evidence if they believe their doctors may be at fault. The Chicago Municipal Code gives the Commissioner of Public Health the power to collect private health records to improve disease control or prevent injuries. Data is often gathered from hospitals to help improve cerebral palsy statistics worldwide, nationally, and locally, meaning that we may be able to gather data from other records. 

The statute of limitations for medical malpractice is two years after the date that the injury was discovered, with a statute of repose of no more than four years. As cerebral palsy may not be diagnosed until several years after birth, it’s crucial to document when diagnostic tests were performed and get second opinions from physicians as to the cause. 

Consult a Birth Injury Attorney Near You!

These cerebral palsy statistics show a common problem with the United States healthcare system. Failing to monitor a woman during pregnancy and labor can lead to a cerebral palsy diagnosis.

Brain damage is far too common during labor and delivery, and our legal team is here to help you navigate your case. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to help investigate your case and help you receive financial compensation to cover medical costs. 

To schedule a free consultation with our Chicago personal injury attorneys, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.