Every year millions of infants are born with brain damage that has life-long consequences that will require expensive care and treatment. There are many different causes that can lead to infant brain damage including oxygen deprivation, infections from the mother, or physical trauma.
Oxygen Deprivation
Babies that experience oxygen deprivation, even for a few moments, can have lifelong brain damage. These disorders include autism, cerebral palsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and impaired vision.
Oxygen deprivation can occur from problems with the umbilical cord, restricted airways, issues with the mother’s blood pressure, the placenta disconnecting too soon from the uterus, or the infant getting stuck in the birth canal during delivery. If these conditions are not quickly treated they can result in severe brain damage.
Infections from the Mother
There are many maternal infections that can put an infant at risk of brain damage. These infections include rubella, herpes, varicella, and syphilis. Proper testing and pre-birth treatment can prevent these conditions from being transferred to your baby and causing severe brain damage.
Physical Trauma
During delivery, there are many mistakes that can cause brain damage. For example, if a physician has to use a vacuum or forceps remove the baby, those instruments, if not used properly, can cause physical trauma to the brain. Also, if the baby gets stuck on the pelvic bone, head injuries can occur when too much force is used to deliver the baby.
Nothing is more important than your child’s health. If you have reason to believe that your child has a birth injury, please contact Potter Burnett today.