Medical notes

Birth Injuries

Tragically, birth injuries occur when the fetus sustains injury during the labor and delivery process. It is estimated that approximately 6 to 8 injuries per every 1,000 live births occur in the United States each year. Some of the most common birth injuries are related to prolonged or difficult labor, the use of forceps, an abrupt delivery or prolonged fetal distress.

Symptoms of Birth Injury
The symptoms of a birth injury may vary depending on the nature of the trauma. In some cases, evidence of a birth injury can be seen immediately after the baby is born. However, in other cases, symptoms do not emerge until the child is several months - or sometimes even several years - old.
 
Symptoms of birth injury seen immediately after the birth may include:
· Abrasions, bruises or cuts on the baby’s head, face or shoulders
· Lack of movement on one side of the baby’s face
· Baby’s arm appears limp or paralyzed
· Baby’s arm is bent at the wrist, with straight fingers
· Lump or bump on the baby’s scalp
· Bruising or swelling on the baby’s scalp
· Baby does not begin breathing immediately after birth
· Baby’s skin has noticeable blue tint
· Baby develops seizures within 24 to 48 hours after birth
· Baby appears “floppy,” or does not exhibiut much muscle control
 
Symptoms of birth injury that emerge later in a child’s life may include:
· Lack of muscle coordination
· Slow or uncontrolled movements
· Lack of depth perception and balance
· Tremors or shakiness
· Difficulty in swallowing
· Difficulty speaking
· Difficulty with tasks using fine motor skills, such as writing
· Difficulty walking or uneven gait
· Drooling
· Overall poor development
 
Symptoms of birth injuries can range from mild and barely noticeable to extremely severe and life-impacting. If a parent or caregiver notices any of these symptoms in an baby or an older child, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.
 
Birth Injury Lawsuits
Tragically, birth injuries form the basis of many medical malpratice lawsuits. The reasons many parents choose to seek legal advice an injured child’s birth include:
· Financial concerns for the child’s medical needs, both now and in the future.
· Feeling as if the doctor was dishonest about the cause of the injury.
· Suspecting negligence on the part of the doctor.
· Wanting to prevent the doctor from injuring other children.
· Learning that their child’s injury could have been prevented.
· To hold the doctors and staff accountable for their actions.
 
Birth injuries can be devastating to parents – both emotionally and financially. Accordingly, if you think your child is suffering from a birth injury as a result of medical negligence, please contact an experienced birth injury attorney today to discuss your case.