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The lack of oxygen at birth, known as asphyxia, can result in infant brain injury that may be mild and reversible or serious and permanent. This depends primarily on the nature of the birth injury and how long the infant’s brain was deprived of oxygen.
There are any number of circumstances under which birth injuries can occur. Sometimes, they are unavoidable, but in many cases, these tragedies are the result of mistakes and even negligence by the obstetrics team.
How does lack of oxygen at birth harm the infant?
When birth asphyxia (hypoxia) occurs, oxygen and/or blood flow to the brain and other organs is cut off. As a result, the brain does not receive sufficient nutrients during the birth process and the crucial minutes afterward. As a result, waste products, in the form of lactic acid, build up in the brain.
These reduced pH levels cause disruptions in cellular metabolism, leading to cell death (necrosis). The damage may be localized to the brain, or may affect the entire nervous system, depending on how long the infant was deprived of oxygen, the levels of oxygen and how quickly the condition was recognized and treated.
Some babies may recover fully if the hypoxia is mild. However, a long period of oxygen deprivation can permanently affect the heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, bowels and other organs.
What are the signs of infant hypoxia?
In some cases, symptoms of infant oxygen deprivation are not always immediately apparent. It may happen while the baby is moving through the birth canal (intrauterine) or after delivery (perinatal). Indications of lack of oxygen at birth may include:
- shallow breathing (or no breath at all)
- pale or bluish skin tone
- abnormal heart rate
- weak muscle response
- seizures
How are other organs affected?
Infant brain damage from intrauterine or perinatal asphyxia may be short-term or long-term; in severe cases, it is permanent. Initially, brain cells do not get sufficient oxygen, leading to lactic acid buildup (acidosis). If treated immediately, the injury may not be severe and the baby can recover.
If not, the condition progresses to the advanced stage, which is called reperfusion or reoxygenation injury. This happens when the built-up waste products in the cells are released into the bloodstream. Unfortunately, these toxins can affect the heart and other organs; the health consequences can be permanent, resulting in cognitive damage, developmental delays and more.
Is recovery possible?
As noted earlier, as long as the obstetrics team is vigilant and addresses the condition immediately, the infant should suffer no long-term effects. If the hypoxia continues however, the result can be permanent brain damage.
In the case of a full-term delivery, therapeutic hypothermia (lowering the body temperature) can mitigate the damage. However, this is not possible for cases in which the birth is 5 weeks or more premature.
What if the delivery room personnel were negligent?
A growing number of parents are coming forward with birth injury lawsuits with allegations of medical malpractice. While most obstetricians and their assistants in the delivery room are thoroughly trained and prepared for all contingencies, medical malpractice can and does occur. If you have reason to believe that mistakes caused your baby to suffer a lack of oxygen at birth, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Compensation can help recover monetary damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Many parents have been successful in seeking compensation for birth injuries such as infant brain damage. In March 2022, an Iowa City couple was awarded nearly $98 million by a jury for an alleged birth injury. The couple claimed that the doctor in charge of their child’s birth negligently used forceps and a vacuum during birth, crushing the baby’s head and causing permanent brain damage.
Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced birth injury attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.
Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation.
The cerebral palsy attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual birth injury lawsuit or class action lawsuit is best for you.
Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.
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