Spinal cord injuries in children present unique challenges for the injured child, their family, and healthcare providers. Unlike adult spinal cord injuries that are most often caused by trauma, spinal cord injuries in children can result from trauma, but also disease, developmental problems, or birth defects. The differences in how these injuries occur and the child’s developing body lead to distinctive medical, rehabilitative, and legal considerations.
Causes and Incidence of Pediatric Spinal Cord Injuries
The most common causes of spinal cord injury in children include:
- Motor vehicle crashes – While less common than in teens and adults, car accidents account for around 30% of pediatric SCIs. Proper use of car seats and seatbelts is crucial.
- Falls – Tumbles from playground equipment, down stairs, etc. make up around 30% of cases.
- Sports and recreation accidents – Particularly diving accidents.
- Child abuse – Violent shaking or impact can damage the spinal cord.
- Spina bifida and other congenital spinal issues – These birth defects cause paralysis and disability from birth.
- Infections/inflammation – Transverse myelitis, abscesses, and other conditions.
- Tumors – Both malignant and non-malignant growths can impair spinal cord function.
Around 1,250 children experience a spinal cord injury each year in the United States. The average age of injury is 13, with the highest injury rates among older teens. Boys are more commonly affected than girls.
Unique Medical Effects of Pediatric Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries impact children differently than adults, with effects including:
- Hindered growth – Damage to the spine can impair normal growth and development throughout childhood.
- Skeletal deformities – Abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis, kyphosis) is more common following pediatric SCIs.
- Respiratory complications – Breathing dysfunction and recurrent infections like pneumonia pose special risks.
- Osteoporosis – Children with SCIs lose bone density quickly, increasing fracture risks.
- Pressure injuries – Children’s thinner skin increases ulcer/sore risks.
- Bowel/bladder issues – Loss of sphincter control and associated kidney problems are very common.
- Cognitive impacts – Issues with memory, attention, reasoning, and processing speed may occur after SCIs.
- Sexual health concerns – Impacts on fertility, sexual function, and psychosocial development.
- Heightened pain – More than 65% of children with SCIs report chronic pain, which can hinder rehab.
- Social isolation – Being separated from peers due to missed school, activities, and restricted mobility affects development.
Early surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term medical management can help minimize these complications. But the child’s changing needs present lifelong management challenges.
The Vital Role of Pediatric Rehabilitation
To address the child’s growing, developing body and changing needs, pediatric SCI rehabilitation must take a holistic lifetime approach focused on maximizing independence and quality of life. Areas of emphasis include:
- Physical therapy – To build strength, mobility, and function. Aquatic and game-based therapy aid recovery.
- Occupational therapy – For self-care skills, adaptive techniques, and accessibility at home and school.
- Spasticity management – Oral medications, injections, or surgery to control muscle tightness and involuntary movements.
- Nutrition counseling – To prevent obesity and promote bone health.
- Psychosocial support – To encourage self-esteem, coping methods, social skills as the child develops.
- Cognitive rehabilitation – To address learning needs and deficits.
- Vocational training – To enable working and independent living later in life.
- Ongoing health maintenance – Bowel/bladder care, skin checks, respiratory health, pain management, and more.
- Parent/caregiver education – To equip families to meet the child’s needs at home.
- Assistive technology – Mobility devices, computer access tools, environmental controls to enhance independence.
A coordinated, active rehab team empowers children with SCIs to maximize their abilities and raises their lifetime outcomes.
Navigating Legal Challenges After Pediatric Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries resulting from accidents, abuse, or negligence lead to costly lifelong care. Navigating the legal system presents additional challenges for children and families already facing major life changes. A personal injury attorney can advise on issues like:
Establishing Liability
- Were safety standards followed to prevent accidents?
- For abuse, were there signs that should have prompted intervention?
- Did medical negligence cause or worsen the SCI?
Pinpointing liable parties is key, but can be complex when children are involved.
Managing Insurance Claims
- Health plans, Medicaid, or other coverage often provide inadequate assistance.
- Families may need to fight for appropriate payouts, equipment, treatment approvals, in-home care, and other benefits.
- Life care planning from experts can justify necessary costs.
Securing Compensation for Damages
- Current and projected medical costs
- Rehabilitation and accessibility expenses
- Caregiving by parents/relatives
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of future earnings
Projecting lifetime costs and advocacy for sufficient compensation is critical, so families aren’t left uncovered.
Creating Special Needs Trusts
- To protect the child’s settlement funds and maintain eligibility for public benefits like Medicaid and SSI.
- Requires expert legal guidance to establish correctly.
The complexity of pediatric spinal cord injury cases demands compassionate legal experts who will fight to secure the compensation and justice the child deserves. This will reduce financial stress on the family so they can focus their energy on the child’s recovery and future.
Looking Ahead After Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury
While spinal cord injuries present profound challenges for children, great progress has been made in treatment and support. Improvements in emergency response, surgical techniques, rehab therapy, assistive technology, and home/community accessibility allow many kids with SCIs to remain active and engage more fully in school, recreation, and community life.
With proper family support, expert clinical care, rehabilitation, and legal help to secure the needed funding, children with spinal cord injuries can build the strong foundations they need to pursue their goals and find fulfillment in life.
Contact Us Today
If your child is facing a spinal cord injury that was caused by an accident that wasn’t their fault, reach out today to Monge & Associates for compassionate legal counsel regarding your options and rights. We have 32 offices located in 19 states, including Mississippi, South Carolina, and Georgia, and have what it takes to obtain the compensation your child needs. Protect your child’s future by calling (888) 477-0597 for a free consultation. Our team has the experience to guide your family through this difficult time while fighting for the justice your child deserves.