What Is Birth Injury?

Determining What Type Of Birth Injury You Have

A birth injury might result in cerebral palsy, which is a disorder of the brain that causes impairment in motor function. Each has an effect on the portion of the brain that controls movement, therefore the child may have limited use of his or her limbs, difficulty talking, and other problems throughout his or her life as a result of each. Some birth injuries have been shown to be more typical than others, despite the fact that there are several different possibilities.

Asphyxiation was previously considered to be the most common cause of cerebral palsy. However, further study has revealed that asphyxiation is a contributing factor in up to 10% of cerebral palsy cases in pregnancies that reach term. There are many more pre-birth injuries, such as brain damage to the white matter, abnormal brain growth, and intracranial bleeding.

In many instances, germs cause brain damage in fetuses and newborns. The mother may transmit an infection to her kid, or the infant might get it after birth. Although birthing centers are designed to be germ-free, sometimes pathogens cannot be entirely eradicated.

Additionally, if the infant’s blood flow or oxygen supply is restricted, a birth injury may occur. A blood clot, for example, might block the blood flow to the child’s brain, resulting in cerebral palsy as a result of brain damage. If the mother’s blood pressure suddenly rockets up during delivery, or if the doctor finds placental abnormalities or birth injuries, complications can occur.

Unfortunately, bad medical treatment might also raise the incidence of CP in newborns. If a mistake is made during delivery by the medical team, it may have irreversible effects. In this instance, the doctor assumes full responsibility. If you believe that your child has been the victim of medical negligence, you should contact our cerebral palsy attorney for assistance.

Factors That Increase Birth Injury Risks

Brain injuries are generally divided into four categories. The type of damage suffered depends on the victim’s age when he or she suffers the injury.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE, is an example of a condition in which a baby’s brain receives inadequate blood or oxygen flow and causes asphyxiation. It can also be referred to as perinatal asphyxia if it isn’t recognized and treated promptly enough. CP is a highly avoidable cause of brain damage in newborns since medical practitioners can intervene to prevent asphyxiation and protect the infant. The amount of brain damage that may occur is determined by a variety of things, including the length of time during which the infant was suffocated.

Periventricular Leukomalacia

Periventricular leukomalacia can also cause cerebral brain damage, resulting in perinatal injuries. The injury to the white matter of the brain caused by slowed cerebral brain flow might result in loss of brain tissue. The nerve receptors in the white matter enable people to develop motor skills, but when brain tissue dies, those nerves are unable to carry out their functions. Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) occurs if the placenta is perforated during pregnancy or delivery, and the mother passes an infection to her fetus.

Intracranial Hemorrhage

Intracranial hemorrhage, like periventricular leukomalacia and HIE, can have a devastating effect on a newborn’s brain. An intracranial hemorrhage is an instance of bleeding in the baby’s brain. It’s known as intraventricular bleeding, and it happens most frequently in preterm infants. The blood vessels of this infant’s brain are fragile and prone to break, giving these babies a higher risk of bleeding into the brain. Maternal infection, high maternal blood pressure, and placental abnormalities are all possible causes of intracranial hemorrhage.

Cerebral Dysgenesis

Cerebral palsy can affect people in a variety of ways. Cerebral dysgenesis, or abnormal brain development, can be caused by a variety of factors. Birth injuries may result from an infection that changes a fetus’ DNA or if the baby has a stroke. When these injuries impact the areas of the brain that control motor function, they can result in cerebral palsy. Of course, such damage might occur during or after birth. If a baby’s head is struck, for example, the physical harm to the brain results in a birth injury that might cause CP.