Millions of babies are affected by infant brain damage each year. Not all infant brain injuries are the result of medical malpractice but in some cases medical professionals are at fault. Infant brain damage can occur in a variety of ways. Birth injury can occur due to physical trauma, oxygen deprivation, maternal infections during pregnancy, and jaundice.

Physical Trauma

A report from the University of San Francisco School of Medicine states that birth related brain injuries are the number one cause of intellectual disabilities and cerebral palsy in the United States. Various medical mistakes can lead to infant brain damage during childbirth. A major source of birth injury is medical malpractice due to the improper use of medical tools, such as forceps or vacuums. However, it is important to note that not all birth injuries are due to a medical professional’s negligence.

Oxygen Deprivation

Oxygen deprivation, or birth asphyxia, occurs in about 4 of every 1,000 full term births with risk levels higher for premature babies. If an infant is not breathing, physicians only have a small window of time to treat the condition before permanent damage occurs. It takes only a few minutes of oxygen deprivation for an infant to sustain permanent injury. Reasons for birth asphyxia include:

• umbilical problems
• constricted airways
• anemia (not having enough healthy red blood cells)
• mother’s blood pressure issues
• early separation of the placenta from the uterus
• baby getting stuck in the birth canal during childbirth

Brain injury from many of these causes is preventable with proper monitoring and response.

The Seattle Children’s Hospital advises that brain injury can occur during two stages of oxygen deprivation. The brain cells can be damaged when oxygen is cut off from the body and again once the oxygen flow has been restored due to tissue due to inflammation.

Maternal Infections During Pregnancy

It is very important for mothers to disclose current infections to their physicians and for physicians to monitor and detect maternal infections during a pregnancy. Maternal infections can lead to premature birth and increase the risk the child of developing epilepsy, cognitive issues, and schizophrenia. Untreated infections such as rubella, herpes, syphilis, and numerous others can lead to neonatal brain injury.

Jaundice

Jaundice is a common condition in many infants and when promptly treated is of little concern. Jaundice is the result of an excessive amount of bilirubin in an infant’s red blood cells. This excess yellow pigment causes an infant’s eyes and skin to temporarily turn yellow. But bilirubin is toxic to brain cells and if jaundice is left untreated, the increased levels of bilirubin can develop into Kernicterus, a form of traumatic brain injury associated with lethargy, high-pitched screaming, a high fever, and abnormal arching of the back.

Symptoms of Brain Injury

Symptoms of infant brain injury will often depend on the severity of the injury. Certain symptoms like developmental delays take a while to present themselves, while other physical symptoms are immediately evident. These physical symptoms include having an unusually small skull, deformed facial features and/or spinal cord, or an abnormally large forehead. Abnormal temperament is also an indicator of infant brain injury.

Although infant brain injury is not always preventable, in many cases actions can be taken by medical professionals to prevent or limit potential injury. Every year medical malpractice attorneys litigate hundreds of birth injury lawsuits in an effort to compensate families for medical expenses and the pain and suffering they have experienced.