According to a recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, babies delivered earlier or later in the third trimester are at a slightly elevated risk of developing the serious birth injury cerebral palsy.

Specifically, the study found that babies born at either the 37-38 week mark or the 42 (and up)-week mark were more likely to develop cerebral palsy than babies born at the 40-week mark. (According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the average length of pregnancy is 40 weeks).

However, researchers cautioned that while this risk is present, it is also considered very low.

"The absolute risk is still very low, and the vast majority of children being born some weeks away from 40 weeks will not develop cerebral palsy. It would be hasty to recommend intervention on delivery time based on this study," said study coordinator Dag Moster, MD, PhD.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cerebral palsy affects one in every 303 children. The symptoms include:

• Muscle spasms
• Stiffness of the muscles
• Mobility problems
• Underdeveloped muscle tone

Curiously enough, cerebral palsy cannot be diagnosed at birth and its causes remain unknown. However, physicians have long theorized that it may be caused by a brain injury sustained in utero, during delivery or early in childhood. 

The study in question, conducted by Norwegian scientists, examined exactly 1,682,411single births (no twins, triplets, etc.) in Norway between 1967 and 2001. The delivery dates of all births fell within the range of 37 to 44 weeks.

Researchers discovered that exactly 1,938 of these 1,682,411 babies were subsequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Specifically, the study found:

• Babies born at 37 weeks had a 90 percent increased risk for developing cerebral palsy than babies born at 40 weeks
• Babies born at 38 weeks had a 30 percent increased risk for developing cerebral palsy than babies born at 40 weeks
• Babies born at 42 weeks had a 36 percent increased risk for developing cerebral palsy than babies born at 40 weeks
• Babies born after 42 weeks had a 44 percent increased risk for developing cerebral palsy than babies born at 40 weeks

If you believe your OB/GYN's or other health care staff's negligence may have caused or contributed to your baby's birth injury, you should strongly consider contacting an experienced legal professional to learn more about your options.

This post was for informational purposes only and not to be construed as legal advice. Stay tuned for more from our Texas wrongful death/medical malpractice blog ...

Related Resources:

• Study Shows Risk May Be Higher for Babies Born at 37 or 38 Weeks - or 42 Weeks or Later (Web MD)