British Boy Receives Cerebral Palsy Surgery in the U.S.

A nine-year-old boy from the UK recently traveled to St. Louis to receive a type of laparoscopic surgery that can improve his mobility despite suffering from challenges related to cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is caused by either the abnormal development of the brain or damage sustained by the brain. Challenges related to cerebral palsy can vary widely. This little boy was diagnosed with spastic diplegia, a type of cerebral palsy that primarily affects his lower limbs and interferes with his ability to stand up and walk unaided. Thanks to an initial surgery performed in Leeds and a second surgery performed in St. Louis, the boy has enjoyed vastly improved mobility.

Boy’s remarkable progress

According to the mother’s fundraising page on JustGiving, the child was born prematurely at 34 weeks. He spent the first six weeks of his life in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). His parents were informed that he suffered from significant brain damage due to oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) to the brain. Despite his physical challenges, the boy has demonstrated incredible determination. With daily physiotherapy sessions, he was able to walk with a walking frame. However, he was frequently unable to keep up with his friends at sports and other activities.

When the boy was eight years old, he underwent selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) at Leeds General Infirmary. This surgery involved slicing the nerves of the lower limbs to address muscle contracture. Essentially, it loosens up very tight muscles. Although the surgery helped the boy, it wasn’t enough to get him on his feet by himself. Due to long waiting lists for an additional surgery in the UK, his family brought him to St. Louis.

Since his recovery from the surgery, his mother has remarked that he is like an entirely different kid. He quickly graduated from the walking frame to crutches. Now, he is able to walk around the house unaided. However, the boy still requires an intensive schedule of physiotherapy sessions to prevent muscle problems from recurring.

Potential causes of cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is a devastating diagnosis for any parent to hear. This group of disorders affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. Children with cerebral palsy may have difficulty swallowing, speaking, and making precise movements, in addition to walking. Some children may display intellectual disabilities, while others have problems with vision and hearing. Seizures, urinary incontinence, and abnormal pain perceptions are other possible symptoms.

There are many possible underlying causes of cerebral palsy, including maternal infections that can affect a developing fetus. Infant infections, traumatic brain injury, and fetal stroke are other possible causes. Sometimes, cerebral palsy is attributed to random genetic mutations. However, in some cases, cerebral palsy is preventable. Like the nine-year-old boy from Britain, many children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year because of oxygen deprivation to the brain during labor and childbirth.

The brain can become deprived of oxygen if a physician fails to schedule an emergency C-section in time, fails to monitor the fetal heart rate, or makes mistakes while using the vacuum and forceps during delivery. These mistakes can lead to birth injuries and the development of cerebral palsy.

Compensation for victims

Cerebral palsy can sometimes occur despite the best medical care. However, in some cases, medical malpractice is to blame. Families that have been the victim of medical negligence might consider filing a cerebral palsy lawsuit to demand compensation. A jury award or settlement can pay for surgeries to relieve muscle tightness, physiotherapy, and other treatments for cerebral palsy.

Resources Resources