A birth injury is a terrible thing for a family and child to undergo. There a several differenttypes of birth injuries, ranging in severity. Some are temporary and some are permanent. Substantial support is critical for a family recovering from the ramifications of a birth injury. An experienced birth injury lawyer can help provide support and guidance if you think your newborn suffered an injury due to the mistake or carelessness of medical personnel.
Brain-Related Injuries
Brain-related birth injuries are often caused by oxygen deprivation to the brain. Some of these injuries are hypoxia, anoxia, and birth and perinatal asphyxia. Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy can be a severe injury occurring when the brain starves due to a lack of oxygen. Ischemia occurs when the brain reacts to oxygen deprivation by draining blood that is in the brain. Alternatively, too much blood can flow to the brain as a reaction to a lack of oxygen, resulting in hemorrhaging. Another way the brain can respond to oxygen deprivation is by increasing electrical responses. This can lead to brain damage caused by seizures or other disorders such as cerebral palsy.
Birth injuries in the brain can also result from other complications. Jaundice is common in newborns, but if it goes untreated, it can turn into kernicterus, a condition where an excess of bilirubin damages the brain. Another risk to newborns is meningitis, which can hinder electrical communication in the central nervous system.
Muscle and Physical Injuries
Muscle-related injuries often show up as limited movement or paralysis. They are fairly easy to diagnose. These kinds of injuries include brachial plexus, Erb’s palsy, Klumpke’s palsy, and shoulder dystocia. These kinds of injuries are sometimes caused by medical malpractice. Mishandling of the baby during or after birth can cause cuts, bruises, broken bones, and fractures. Skull fractures and cephalohematoma, bruising of the area between the brain and skin, are more severe injuries resulting from mishandling.
Injuries Relating to Infection
In some cases, a baby can get a bacterial or viral infection from the mother. Examples of these kinds of infections include strep B and meningitis. It is the responsibility of the doctor to detect for infections and provide appropriate treatment.
Injuries During Pregnancy
Injuries can result from deficiencies during pregnancy such as folic acid deficiency. Other injuries that occur during pregnancy are anemia and spina bifida. It is also the doctor’s responsibility to test for such conditions, as these conditions may be preventable through the use of supplements under the care of a physician.
Injuries From Birth
In addition to mishandling injuries, injuries can occur from tools used during birth, including vacuum extractors and forceps. Administering the wrong medication or the wrong dosage can also lead to injuries in the newborn. A newborn can also undergo stress, high blood pressure, and hypertension as a result of handling by medical staff. Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn can result from complications during birth or medical negligence such as failing to treat maternal infection or infant asphyxia as well as administering an unnecessary Cesarean section.
Contact Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC
Atlanta metro area attorneys at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC have extensive experience with birth injury cases. Their compassionate approach will allow you to get the legal and emotional support needed during this time. Contact us today for a free consultation.