What are the signs of newborn BRAIN DAMAGE?
Birth injuries can occur from damage to the developing brain before, during, or after birth. If a mother or child undergoes a traumatic childbirth experience, there is a fear of brain damage. Unless the injuries are very apparent, it may be difficult the signs of newborn brain damage.
One way to determine if brain damage occurred in your newborn is to watch for developmental milestones. Delayed or failure to reach milestones may be caused by factors other than brain damage, including, but not limited to autism and genetics. Be sure to contact a medical professional to determine a developmentally delayed diagnosis for your child.
Brain damage during childbirth can lead to various behavioral, physical and cognitive abnormalities; the effects of which can last years, if not a lifetime. It is important for parents and caregivers to understand the extent of the child’s condition to comprehend the entirety of necessary care.
If you believe you or your child has the signs of newborn brain damage as a result of a birth injury, you should speak to a lawyer to understand if you are entitled to any compensation to assist you or your child’s current and future quality of life.
Know the Signs of Newborn Brain Damage
There are four basic types of brain damage that may result from trauma during childbirth. Each can range from mild to severe, depending on the case and infant.
Intracranial Hemorrhage
Also known as bleeding from the brain, the intracranial hemorrhage is the most common cause of fetal stroke from blocked or damaged blood vessels. More common in premature infants, causes may range from high blood pressure, placenta complications, and reproductive system infections in the mother.
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
A type of newborn brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation and limited blood flow. Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) leads to the destruction of brain cells and tissue in the motor cortex, which may cause cerebral palsy or periventricular leukomalacia. HIE is the most common type of brain damage during childbirth.
Periventricular Leukomalacia
Characterized by damage or decay of white matter in the brain ventricles. White matter is made of nerve fibers that relay signals for motor function and can affect the brain’s ability to learn. Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) is caused by lack of blood flow to the periventricular part of the brain and coincide with brain bleeding. More common in premature babies , PVL may also be caused by placental failure and infection.
Cerebral Dysgenesis
A term for abnormal brain development or brain malformation, Cerebral Dysgenesis may occur during pregnancy when the fetal brain is forming. It may also occur from direct injury to the baby’s head during or shortly after delivery. Infections in the fetal brain can mutate genes responsible for motor function development.
Is Your Baby Suffering Brain Damage?
The following include but are not limited to symptoms of an infant suffering from brain damage due to a birth injury. Early intervention is important to achieving the best outcomes for children with birth injury.
In 2006, it was estimated that over 157,000 birth injuries could have been avoided to both mother and infant.
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