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Feb 2017
Congenital virus more common than thought in children with cerebral palsy
Research undertaken by the University of Sydney has shown that the congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in children with cerebral palsy is more common that was previously thought.
The common herpes virus can cross the placenta, which carries a high risk of infecting the foetus and damaging the developing brain.
The study, involving 323 children in Australia with cerebral palsy, revealed that 9.6 per cent had CMV DNA found in blood that had been taken from their newborn screening card. The proportion of children with the virus in the general community was less than 1 per cent.
Professor Cheryl Jones of the University of Sydney’s Institute of Infectious Diseases said “Defining the role of congenital CMV as a risk factor for cerebral palsy is important because it is potentially preventable.”
Cerebral palsy is the most commonly occurring physical disability amongst children and is associated with several risk factors, including intrauterine infections such as congenital CMV.
Professor Jones went on to say “Despite this known association, and estimates of neurologic disability from congenital CMV, few reports describe the prevalence and epidemiology of cerebral palsy associated with congenital CMV.
“Defining the role of congenital CMV as a risk factor for cerebral palsy is important because it is the most common intrauterine infection in developed countries, is potentially preventable, and antiviral therapy post-natally can reduce the severity of adverse neurologic outcomes.”
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.
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