Birth Asphyxia Injury Lawyer
When an infant is in the final stages of delivery at child birth, it is still relying on the mother to supply the oxygen it needs to survive. When delivery becomes complicated, there are situations that can arise that may limit the amount of oxygen the infant’s brain receives, resulting in partial or complete hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), or birth asphyxia. This situation is critical and prolonged deprivation can lead to serious birth injuries or death. It is the duty of the medical team to recognize this crisis and do everything in their power to prevent injury to the child.
There are several situations during delivery that can cause birth asphyxia. Anything that disrupts the delivery of the needed blood and oxygen to the brain of the unborn child is dangerous. The delivery team can identify distress that can indicate asphyxia through a fetal monitor, ensuring they can quickly work to resolve the issue. Some childbirth conditions that can result in birth asphyxia include:
- Umbilical cord obstructions
- Trauma to the infant’s head during delivery
- Delayed C-section
- Ruptured uterus
- Separated placenta
- Positional injuries
When the child’s brain is not receiving the oxygen it needs, the medical team must act fast to prevent injury. Often when birth asphyxia injuries occur, it is due to lack of monitoring or response on the part of the delivery team.
Types of Birth Asphyxia Injuries
Lack of oxygen to the brain can cause serious injuries in minutes to anyone, especially the sensitive brain of an infant. The immediate concern is preventing death when asphyxia was severe. The infant may need medical care to prevent brain swelling, seizures and coma. Even if the infant recovers, there could be long-term impacts to the brain, including:
- Cerebral palsy
- Cognitive impairment
- Organ problems
- Developmental issues
- Many types of brain damage
If your child suffered birth asphyxia during delivery which caused a brain injury, organ failure, developmental issues or death, it is important to know whether it could have been prevented. Contact our team at Moriarty Injury Lawyer to discuss your case. If birth asphyxia was caused by medical error, you may be able to receive compensation for your child’s injuries.