What Is Mixed Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a group of neurological disorders that permanently affect movement and coordination. There are four main types:

• Spastic, the most common type - affecting about 80 percent of CP patients, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - which involves muscle stiffness in the legs (diplegia), in the arm and leg on the same side (hemiplegia), or in both arms and both legs (quadriplegia)
• Dyskinetic, also known as athetotic or athetoid, which is characterized by uncontrollable movements (e.g., fragmented movements, bizarre twisting or exaggerated postures)
• Ataxic, the rarest type of cerebral palsy, with symptoms of weak muscle tone and poor coordination
• Mixed, a combination of two or more types

It is estimated that approximately 10 percent of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy have mixed CP. According to the CDC, spastic and dyskinetic prove to be the most common combination. If your child has been diagnosed with mixed cerebral palsy and medical malpractice may be to blame for his or her birth defect, an experienced cerebral palsy attorney can help.

Complications of Mixed Cerebral Palsy

With mixed cerebral palsy, children can suffer complications specific to either of the CP forms affecting them. As such, treating mixed CP can be more difficult than treating a single type of cerebral palsy. Some of the complications experienced by children with mixed CP include:

• Seizures
• Intellectual impairment
• Difficulty swallowing
• Speaking and hearing problems

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), as many as one-half of all cerebral palsy patients experience seizures. Approximately two-thirds of all CP patients are mentally impaired, with one-third having mild impairment and the other one-third having moderate to severe impairment, according to HealthCommunities.com.

Mixed CP complications can affect a child throughout his or her life, and he or she may require ongoing treatment and specialized care. Parents who suspect avoidable birth trauma may have caused their child's mixed cerebral palsy should discuss their case with a qualified cerebral palsy lawyer today.

Treatment of Mixed Cerebral Palsy

Treatment of mixed cerebral palsy depends on which types of CP are present. For symptoms related to spastic CP, for instance, medication may be prescribed to minimize muscle stiffness, while surgery may be necessary when severe spasticity causes bone deformation or immobility. Medication can also be prescribed to control seizures. Eyeglasses or hearing aids may be necessary, as well as orthotic braces, a wheelchair or a walker. Physical therapy can help a child to stretch stiff muscles and improve coordination, while occupational therapy teaches a child compensating techniques for everyday activities. With mixed cerebral palsy, the combination of these treatments will depend on which forms of CP your child has.

If your child suffers from mixed cerebral palsy and it may have resulted from medical malpractice during labor or delivery, protect your legal rights. Contact a cerebral palsy attorney who is also a doctor.