5 Common Birth Injuries

Many babies in the United States are born with no birth injuries whatsoever. While this is good news, it doesn’t make those few-and-far-between injuries any more tolerable.

We may not eliminate the prospect of birth injuries any time soon, but the fact that the bulk of them are caused by negligence rather than chance makes things a lot worse for the affected mothers and babies. We have listed below some of the most common birth injuries and their causes:

1. Brachial Plexus Injuries

BPI is a type of injury typified by damage to the nerves that run from the spine through the neck and shoulders and down into the arms. The severity of damage varies from child to child, with 10% of victims suffering permanent disability. Regardless of the extent of the damage to your infant’s nerves, it is always advisable to file a compensation claim as soon as possible as treatment and symptom management can be quite costly. An attorney with experience in brachial plexus injury cases can help determine if medical malpractice is to blame for the injury and help calculate the value of your claim.

2. Bone Fractures

Complicated deliveries are among the most common culprits behind bone fractures during birth. Fractured clavicles are a pretty prevalent form of this injury type, with the worst cases being linked to permanent immobilization. However, many cases will heal on their own.

3. Caput Succedaneum

This injury is characterized by scalp swelling and bruising and discoloration on one side of the scalp. It is often caused by the exertion of too much pressure on the baby during birth, meaning there is a good chance your child’s injury is the result of medical negligence. The positive thing about caput succedaneum is that it is not life-threatening, especially if the baby was born in a normal delivery. It is also not permanent if a proper symptom management strategy is prepared and adhered to.

4. Perinatal Asphyxia

Perinatal Asphyxia is the product of a newborn not receiving enough oxygen before, during, and immediately after birth. This lack of sufficient oxygen can be caused by limited air supply to the fetus or newborn’s blood or a deficiency of oxygen in their blood. Babies with Perinatal Asphyxia will show symptoms such as seizures, pale complexion, labored breathing, shock, and even coma. There is a risk of permanent neurologic damage to the baby if this doesn’t clear up quickly and completely.

5. Facial Paralysis

Facial paralysis is a pretty common type of congenital birth injury, with a staggering 88% of cases being associated with difficult labor. The most obvious symptom involves an inability to control facial muscles, something parents will notice when the child cries. Often, this injury heals on its own, though there are cases where it doesn’t disappear.

These are some of the most common injuries babies suffer during birth. Ensure your newborn is checked for any of them before leaving the hospital. If there are any oddities, seek an explanation from the healthcare provider, and consult a medical malpractice lawyer if you suspect negligence.

Helpful resources for families with special needs:

• Cpfamilynetwork.org
• Taking care of a disabled loved one
• Disabled students in the U.S.