United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a non-profit that serves those with disabilities. They have many affiliate groups across the U.S. and Canada.  UCP was founded in 1949 by parents of children with the motor disorder cerebral palsy. Over the years, UCP has raised awareness about the needs of individuals with cerebral palsy, as well as...

The topographical classification of cerebral palsy (CP) is used to describe the body parts that are affected by the condition. Doctors commonly use this terminology to diagnose and explain where motor difficulties take place on the body.  Key terms Each topographical classification includes a prefix that shows the number of areas affected, and a suffix...

Nervous system conditions that affect an individual’s movements are called “motor disorders.” They can result in increased voluntary or involuntary movements, as well as faster or slower movements (1). Many motor disorders can have similar signs and symptoms, even though they are caused by different underlying conditions or diseases. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a movement...

A recent New York Times investigation revealed shocking rates of mortality in children who underwent pediatric heart surgery at North Carolina Children’s Hospital, which is part of the University of North Carolina (UNC) health system.  The exposé (1), written by Ellen Gabler and published on May 31st, 2019, details how UNC higher-ups repeatedly dismissed cardiologists’...

In talking to potential clients, we’ve noticed a few common misperceptions people have about birth injuries and medical malpractice lawsuits. On this page, we attempt to clear some of those up. If you have any questions about birth injuries, our firm, or the legal process, please feel free to contact us at any time! Misperception #1:...

Babies with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) often experience respiratory problems. Because of this, they may require assistance with breathing after birth. This can be done through the urgent method of resuscitation, or the more long-term assistance of inhaled nitric acid, high-frequency ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (1). These long-term practices are commonly used for neonates...

Premature babies often have numerous health problems, and require extensive, costly treatments (1). Their underdeveloped organs and general fragility make them especially susceptible to birth injuries, infections, and other neonatal complications. In the United States, 70% of premature births occur between weeks 34 and 36 of pregnancy, or the “late preterm period” (2) These infants...

Introduction Worldwide, there are about 2.6 million stillbirths each year (1), 24,000 of which occur in the U.S. (2). Our rate of stillbirth is higher than that of many other developed nations. For example, it is more than double the rate in Iceland (3). This regional variation in stillbirths demonstrates that many of these deaths...