Obesity in expectant mothers increases the risk of having a baby with cerebral palsy

It is commonly known that overweight mothers hold an increased risk of a range of conditions that can harm an infant’s brain, and now new research has shown that obesity increases the risk of having a child with cerebral palsy.

The study conducted at the University of Michigan looked at children born in Sweden between 1997 and 2011. 1.4 million children were involved in the study and 3,029 were diagnosed with cerebral palsy.  Further analysis of the information showed that there was a clear link between a mother’s obesity and the disorder.

Despite recent neonatal care advances, cerebral palsy rates have increased for babies born at full-term. Few preventable factors are known to affect the risk of developing the condition and nearly 50 per cent of causes are put down to asphyxia-related neonatal complications.

The researchers from the study noted that, although maternal obesity incurs only a small risk, the link is still concerning due to the large and increasing numbers of women who are overweight or obese.

Study author Professor Eduardo Villamor said “The number of women with a BMI of 35 or more globally doubled from approximately 50 to 100 million from 2000 to 2010.

“In the US, approximately half of all pregnant women are overweight or obese at the first prenatal visit.

“Considering the high prevalence of obesity and the continued rise of its most severe forms, the finding that being maternally overweight and obese are related to rates of cerebral palsy in a dose-response manner may have serious public health implications.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record. The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of medical negligence.  He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in medical negligence claims.  Tony also acts as the Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled.  Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk.  Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist medical negligence Legal Aid and no win-no fee solicitors for free legal advice on the freephone number below.

Freephone: 0800 028 2969

For further information, please see our cerebral palsy and birth injury website:

http://www.cerebralpalsyclaimssolicitors.co.uk

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.