Expectant parents have natural concerns about the possibility of birth defects. The celebration of the birth of a child may be disrupted by a range of difficult considerations and decisions that have to be made if a birth injury occurs. In these situations, knowing whether a birth injury may have been caused by a doctor’s negligence can help parents decide the next steps.

Autism is a developmental disorder that may be linked to birth injuries. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can experience behavioral, communication, and social challenges.

If a child sustains a birth injury, it may lead to autism. Although researchers are still looking at the possibility that autism could be caused by birth trauma, parents should be aware of the potential connection.

What Situations Could Lead to Autism Caused by Birth Trauma?

Research indicates a number of missteps may result in autism caused by birth trauma. Mistakes during labor and delivery can have catastrophic consequences for an infant.

Science Daily reported a study that found children exposed to complications just before, or during birth, such as preeclampsia and birth asphyxia, were more likely to develop ASD. Birth asphyxia plays a role in birth injuries since a lack of oxygen during labor could easily cause infant brain damage and other complications.

The study looked at the health records of more than 590,000 children in California hospitals between 1991 and 2009. The data showed complications before or during birth increased the risk of ASD by as much as 10 percent.

Parents of children with autism caused by birth trauma may not have realized there could be a connection between their child’s medical issues and problems during labor and delivery.

Reduced oxygen supply during labor and delivery, the prenatal period, or during early infancy “could influence autism risk,” University of Miami epidemiologist Hannah Gardner told WebMD in 2011.

How Did the Study Find a Connection Between Birth Injury and Autism?

Much of the research in this area is new, but scientists in recent studies used imaging techniques on mouse models to generate 3D images of the brain before birth, according to Medical Xpress.

The researchers looked at things such as brain size before and after birth and found the brain for a normal mouse stopped growing for a period just prior to birth and stayed the same size when born. Experts believe this may occur in order to help the brain survive childbirth.

For ASD mouse models, however, the brain growth experience was different, Medical Xpress reported. The brain was bigger after birth, suggesting it could have been compressed during delivery and immediately after birth. The overall findings concluded birth stresses, such as those caused by complications or medical errors, could lead to the development of ASD in a baby.

What Are the Symptoms of Autism?

As the name implies, autism is a spectrum of symptoms that can range in prominence and severity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In some cases, children with autism may show behavioral symptoms, such as refraining from pointing to objects to show interest and avoiding eye contact. Other children’s symptoms may be more emotional, with autistic children failing to relate to others and having difficulty talking about their emotions, according to the CDC.

Although these symptoms may be manageable with physiological and occupational therapy, other symptoms of autism may be debilitating. Symptoms such as repetitive actions, trouble adapting to routine changes, and unusual sensory reactions to smells, tastes, feelings, sounds, and appearances can all be difficult for children with autism.

Autistic children often require years of costly therapies. It may be especially difficult for parents to cope with this complex situation when a doctor’s improper actions — or lack of actions — could have caused the condition.

Unfortunately, researchers have not pinpointed the genesis of autism. Doctors have learned about things that may play a role in the disorder, but the exact cause isn’t known.

Decades of research have led the medical community to conclude that genetic predispositions, pre-existing genetic or chromosomal abnormalities (Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, etc.), and even older parental age may all play a role in the development of autism, according to the Mayo Clinic.

What Should You Do If Your Child Has ASD?

Since the autism population has surged in recent years, more medical research is being conducted to determine what situations might contribute to its rise. You may want to speak with an attorney if you believe your child’s ASD diagnosis was caused by birth trauma.

Because medical malpractice claims have a statute of limitations, it’s best to make contact sooner rather than later.