How long cerebral palsy live

No parent wants to think about losing a child. However, life expectancy of a child with cerebral palsy CP is an important consideration in planning for the future. Children with CP outlive predicted lifespans all the time.

Most children with cerebral palsy live long, healthy, and happy lives. Unfortunately, children with severe cerebral palsy, or with related complications, may be at risk for reduced lifespan. Research shows quality of care can help improve life expectancy in children with cerebral palsy. Estimates of the probability of survival are liable to error due to the variety of factors involved.

If your child has problems with choking while being fed, a feeding tube may be recommended. Yet, feeding tubes can lead to serious infections if not taken care of properly. Additionally, dietitians and feeding therapists are highly recommended for children who have difficulty swallowing or use feeding tubes.

A dietitian can help caregivers measure nutritional intake, and a feeding therapist will teach methods to reduce the chances of choking and aspiration. Seizures can be associated with cerebral palsy, although not all children will develop them. For those that do, however, they may be at risk for a reduced life expectancy, especially if the seizures are severe. Prolonged seizures increase the risk of low oxygen levels and aspiration, which can negatively impact health.

With the aid of healthcare professionals, such as a neurologist who specializes in the problems of children with cerebral palsy, you can learn how to watch for signs that a seizure is beginning and take steps to keep your child as safe as possible.

A neurologist can also prescribe medication that will decrease the number of seizures and even lessen their effects. Children with cognitive issues may have problems with communication, forming words correctly, hearing correctly, and interacting effectively with peers. Not all children with cerebral palsy will experience cognitive disabilities, despite myths. While less severe forms of mobility restrictions generally do not affect lifespan, children with severe mobility issues, such as those with quadriplegia, run the risk of a lower survival rate.

Doctors recommend that all children with cerebral palsy participate in physical therapy, but this is especially important for those who have more limited mobility. Children with vision problems run the risk of a reduced lifespan, but it is unclear currently whether this is due to the vision problem itself or another factor, such as damage in an associated area of the brain.

Some forms of treatment can help significantly and should be started as early as possible for the best outcome. Gina Jansheski, M. She has been a practicing pediatrician for over 20 years, working primarily with hospitalized patients and children with special needs.

Though studies have not been done to determine statistical lifespans of people with cerebral palsy, many live 30 to 70 years. However, multiple factors play a part in just how long an individual with cerebral palsy will live.

Cerebral palsy CP is a medical condition that affects the posture, coordination, and body movement of an individual. It is associated with brain injury and is one of the most common causes of long-term disability from infancy.

CP causes a person to have muscle tightness and uncontrollable reflexive movements. It can affect part or all of the body and can range from mild cases to severe.

Some people with CP suffer from vision and hearing issues, seizures, and intellectual disabilities. However, in some cases, CP is caused by medical mistakes or negligence. When this occurs, the medical professionals at fault may be found liable. It can take months or years for doctors even to assess the level and degree of impairment a child with CP will experience.

Some factors are considered to be areas of concern that can shorten the lifespan of someone with CP. They include:. When cerebral palsy happens due to the negligence or mistake of a medical professional, it may be considered medical malpractice. However, the exact decision, indecision, or cause of CP may be very difficult to determine.