Encephalopathy in infants
A birth injury affecting up to 9 out of every 1,000 live births. Don’t suffer alone.
What is neonatal encephalopathy?
Encephalopathy in infants, also known as neonatal encephalopathy (NE), is a type of dysfunction of the central nervous system caused by a brain injury. Neonatal encephalopathy occurs in up to 9 out of every 1,000 live births. NE can be caused by a variety of factors, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), meningoencephalitis, brain bleed, fetal stroke, or any infection. Encephalopathy in infants is a serious condition that cause lasting harm to the child. Encephalopathy in infants, also known as neonatal encephalopathy (NE), is a type of dysfunction of the central nervous system caused by a brain injury. Neonatal encephalopathy occurs in about 3 out of every 1,000 live births.
NE can be caused by a variety of factors, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), meningoencephalitis, brain bleed, fetal stroke, or any infection. Encephalopathy in infants is a serious condition that cause lasting harm to the child.
What are additional disorders related to encephalopathy?
Infants who are diagnosed with encephalopathy often have additional disorders related to the diagnosis. These disorders include:
Common Symptoms of Encephalopathy in Infants
encephalopathy and traumatic birthS
While there are multiple causes of encephalopathy in infants, a traumatic birth is a frequently cited reason for the condition. Medical staff who fail to uphold the standards of care during labor and delivery can cause a harmful, traumatic birth. Some symptoms, such as the onset of seizures, may be seen immediately. Other symptoms may not be noticed until the child matures and does not hit developmental milestones such as talking or walking on time. A traumatic birth can be caused by:
- Misuse of vacuum or forceps
- Mismanaged cephalopelvic disproportion (CVD)
- Mismanagement of a breech delivery
- Prolonged labor and uterine hyperstimulation
- Mismanagement of a baby with macrosmonia
- Trauma from abnormal changes in blood pressure
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Could my child's encephalopathy have been prevented?
Many times, a baby’s encephalopathy could have been prevented if the physician had followed the proper standards of care. Most often the events that cause NE occur during labor and delivery. Physicians use a tool called a fetal heart rate monitor to check the baby’s heart rate. If the physician fails to quickly respond to an infant in distress, a birth injury can occur.
Sometimes a birth injury, such as encephalopathy in infants, occurs due to poor technique while using vacuum extractors or forceps. An unskilled doctor can cause injury if they twist the infant’s head or neck, pull excessively, or pull for longer than 20 minutes. There are established standards of care that dictate when a physician should stop attempting a vaginal birth and instead perform a C-section.
Why should I contact a birth injury lawyer?
If your infant has been diagnosed with encephalopathy, you may want to contact a birth injury attorney. Birth injury cases require an attorney with extensive knowledge of these unique cases. Our attorneys realize that a child with encephalopathy may require ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and other supportive services. Our attorneys are committed to seeking compensation for preventable birth injuries to cover the cost of care and get your child the services they need.
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