Delayed Birth Injury and Medical Malpractice

Although there has been a decrease in the overall number of birth injuries reported in the United States in recent decades, there is still a very high risk of it occurring.

According to statistics, a birth injury occurs in one in every 9,714 births in the country. Roughly 28,000 birth injuries are reported across the country each year. The National Healthcare Quality Report suggests that 5.08 per 1,000 birth injuries occur in female infants while 6.68 per 1,000 birth injuries occur in male infants.

Risks Associated with Delayed Birth

A baby that is in the birth canal for 18 hours or more is considered to be in fetal distress. The significant pressures inside the birth canal can result in compression of the baby's organs.

Although the human baby is designed to be able to survive such pressures on the lungs, brain, spine and other organs, it is not intended to be endured for more than a couple of minutes or hours. If it occurs for a longer period than that, the lack of oxygen may result in serious medical problems.

One major problem among these is brain damage. In fact, the most common birth injuries that are caused by brain-related injuries such as Autism, cerebral palsy and Asperger's syndrome. Additionally, the risk of hematoma, spina bifida and what is referred to as umbilical cord prolapse (which is when the umbilical cord passes through the cervix before the infant) is present.

Types of Brain Injury at Birth

Brain injury at birth can be the result of various complications and can lead to many injuries and disabilities. The most common types of brain injuries that occur during birth include:

• Mild Injuries - Mild brain injuries include those such as fracture, hematoma and mild bleeding in the brain.
• Moderate Injuries - These injuries can sometimes include more serious bleeding or fractures, subdural hemorrhage and oxygen deprivation.
• Sever Injuries - Severe subdural hemorrhages can lead to pressure in the brain which results in high bilirubin levels or seizures. Severe intraventricular hemorrhages affect the brain tissue and cause underdevelopment of the brain. Trauma to the head is one of the most devastating forms of severe brain injury and it can result in any combination of these injuries along with others.

Looking Out for Brain and Neurological Damage in Infants

Both medical experts and parents must be vigilant for signs of brain and neurological damage as they can lead to serious developmental delays and disorders. For example, asymmetrical movement of the limbs, excessive vomiting, inability to suckle, and abnormally harsh crying are all signs that indicate a birth injury.

We Win Cases

If your child has suffered a brain injury as a result of delayed birth, you should immediately seek the help of a qualified and experienced medical malpractice attorney which are in plenty at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff of RMFW Law. The first consultation is free and this is where you can discuss the facts of your case and begin the process to file a medical malpractice claim against the negligent doctor or hospital.