For families with children suffering from birth injuries, help can be provided in a variety of ways. Wheelchairs and other equipment that can be adapted to help children reach developmental milestones.
Medical treatments can also help to manage the symptoms of different birth injuries. However, doctors aren’t fortune-tellers, and no two babies will respond similarly to treatment.
Many birth injuries can be prevented. Families can seek help by a solicitor who is specialized in claims for birth injuries.
Diagnosis
When a birth injury is not properly identified or treated, a child can endure a lifetime of issues. These issues can lead to serious intellectual and physical disabilities. They could also be life-threatening if the severity is extreme.
A variety of tests can be used to determine the severity of birth injuries. This includes umbilical blood gas analysis, CT scans, brain MRIs, and other neuroimaging test. Doctors can employ tests of reflex and cognitive thinking to check specific symptoms.
Parents can assist by watching their children and observing any deviations or missed developmental milestones. They must also keep detailed records about every medical procedure, diagnosis, and consultations. This information could be vital for any legal action relating to birth injuries that were caused by medical malpractice.
It’s not always simple to recognize birth injury symptoms. In some cases the problem isn’t recognized until a baby is older and develops motor or cognitive skills. Birth injuries can cause unusual movements, neck and facial anomalies, seizures, and difficulty eating and sleeping, among other symptoms.
The severity of the damage and the area affected determine the baby’s prognosis. Minor injuries like Erb’s Palsy or infant jaundice are able to heal over time. Traumatic injuries, like brain injury or spinal cord injury could result in permanent impairment for a child and require long-term care.
Based on the type of birth injury, there are many sources that can offer assistance and support for the child. For example, adaptive equipment such as speech or wheelchairs can help a child with mobility problems communicate and get around. Physical therapy and nutrition plans can aid a child who has difficulty eating, swallowing, or has issues with motor skills.
Many birth injuries can be prevented. Some birth injuries are unavoidable. If a medical error during delivery caused your child’s condition, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact an attorney for birth injuries to find out more about your rights under the law. You can talk to an attorney for free. Call us today to arrange your complimentary consultation.
Treatment
Birth injuries can be of different severity and may cause symptoms to last for a lifetime. However, the faster a birth injury is diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, the better it will be treated.
To identify a birth injury doctors run a variety of tests to determine the cause of the birth injury. The Apgar test is among the most important tests. It assesses skin tone and heart rate, muscle reflexes and breathing. If the Apgar score is high it means that the baby is healthy.
A blood gas analysis is another diagnostic tool that measures oxygen and carbon dioxide in umbilical cordblood. This test can identify HIE which is a type of brain injury caused by the lack of oxygen during birth. Doctors will also run MRI and CT scans to check for brain injuries. They can be caused by hemorrhages as well as fractures of the skull bones.
Surgery is required for severe injuries. Surgery is required for severe. If the nerves controlling the muscles are damaged it could cause cerebral palsy, Erb’s Palsy (paralysis in the brachial nerves of the arm) or Klumpke’s Palsy (paralysis in one of the upper shoulders joints). These conditions are usually permanent and could be life-threatening. The nerve that controls the phrenic region, the diaphragm that divides the organs of the abdomen and chest, is occasionally injured during delivery. This can cause paralysis on the chest’s one side and make breathing difficult. In these cases, surgeons can often repair the damage with the surgical procedure known as burr hole surgery.
Other options include physical therapy, which aids children with mobility issues. Speech and occupational therapy can aid children who are struggling with their daily activities, like drinking, eating, or speaking. Some birth injuries can be treated with medications. For instance, painkillers can be helpful for children suffering from Erb’s palsy or cerebral palsy. Antispastic and muscle relaxants medication can be helpful for children with tight muscles. Some children may have to take anti-seizure medications, especially if their brain damage has led to a seizure disorder.
The costs of raising a child with disabilities are usually expensive. Families should know about the numerous sources of financial aid available, including insurance, both private and public, as well as education and day-care programs.
Prognosis
The prognosis of birth injuries varies depending on the nature of injury and the severity it is. In some cases the injury is irreparable and requires care for the rest of your life. The symptoms can also get worse or better over the course of. The cause of injuries can be numerous causes during pregnancy and childbirth and include abnormalities in the development of the fetus or placental problems as well as excess amniotic fluid and maternal infections.
Erb’s Palsy is the most common birth injury. It affects the nerves that regulate the movement in the hands and arms. Most children who suffer from this condition recover completely, however some may require surgery or physical or occupational therapy. Other injuries, such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and clavicular fractures could have long-term consequences on a child’s growth.
PVL is another kind of birth injury. This happens when there is pressure on the brain’s white matter from excessive pulling or twisting during a difficult delivery. This can cause brain damage and is among the most serious forms of birth injuries.
Other conditions that can have a negative impact on the development of a baby include infant torticollis that causes the head and neck to be tilted or twisted to one side; meconium aspiration syndrome, that occurs when a newborn swallows meconium in utero rather than passing it through the birth canal and skull fractures.
While some birth injury support injuries are the result of unpredictable complications that occur during childbirth, medical negligence is a common cause of serious and lasting birth injury lawsuit traumas. If you suspect that your child’s birth injury was due to negligence, it is essential to consult a reputable attorney for guidance.
The Help Center is an online resource for all things related to pregnancy, childbirth, birth injuries and resulting childhood disabilities. We strive to provide up-to-date and accurate information and assistance for those who need it. Contact us now to begin. Take a look at the MASIC collection of resources to learn more. It is a treasure trove of information about how to deal with children who have cerebral palsy or other birth injuries. Click here to access MASIC’s guide for parents and caregivers.
Support
When medical errors occur during childbirth, the joy of welcoming an infant can be destroyed. From minor injuries like cuts and bruises, to more serious injuries like brain damage, a traumatizing birth injury support can leave children with long-term disabilities.
Medical professionals are trained in recognizing the risk of complications during childbirth and swift action to prevent serious harm. Some healthcare providers fail to follow this standard of care, resulting in unavoidable birth injuries. These mistakes in medical malpractice can have a lifetime of devastating effects on a child and their family.
For parents whose child has an injury that can alter their life, it’s important to get the help they need to deal with the emotional and physical impact. This could include counseling, therapy and other forms of treatment. Families also need to find financial assistance for their disabled child’s constant needs. Insurance companies can reject disability claims, or do not offer adequate coverage. The civil legal system can offer a way to get the financial assistance families require.
A successful claim for a birth injury can reimburse a child’s parents or guardians for all or most of the costs associated with their disability. This can include medical treatment and therapies, as well as other support services, as well as mobility devices like wheelchairs. It can also cover the cost of a caregiver or daycare for a child with disabilities or assistive technology to help them communicate and take part in everyday activities.
While no amount of money can compensate a child for injuries they have suffered, obtaining this financial aid can help them get the help and assistance they require to live a fulfilling life. Families who are thinking of making an appeal for a birth injury should consult with an experienced birth trauma lawyer to find out more about the legal options that are available to them.
A lawyer can determine if a hospital or birthing center where your child was injured is responsible for their negligence which caused your child’s medical condition. The lawyers at Paul & Perkins are ready to look over your case and help you understand your legal options in seeking justice. Contact us today to begin.