Some birth injuries are not immediately obvious. Some conditions may take months or even years to identify, especially infant brain injuries. But there’s one serious infant brain injury that most people have never heard of and it could change a baby’s life forever: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
HIE Explained
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy means that a baby has experienced brain damage because reduced blood flow prevented them from getting enough oxygen. Put another way, the baby asphyxiated during labor or delivery.
There are many causes for HIE and many of them are preventable when medical staff are attentive and watch for the warning indicators. A few of the more common causes of HIE include:
- Unsafe or uncontrolled maternal blood pressure.
- Failure to monitor the mother’s vitals or failure to identify signs of fetal distress.
- Unsafe usage of labor-inducing drugs.
- The placenta becomes detached from the uterus before delivery.
- The baby becomes stuck in the birth canal or requires an emergency c-section.
Symptoms of HIE
The impacts of HIE may not be obvious until the baby misses developmental milestones, such as talking or walking. As the baby grows older, the signs of cognitive impairment may become more pronounced and could lead to learning disabilities or difficulties with daily tasks.
That said, brain injuries are unpredictable and each one is unique. There is no way to determine exactly how it will impact your child’s health. If your child is severely impaired or permanently disabled due to HIE experienced during delivery, you may wish to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney to discuss your options and pursue the damages your child needs to live a more comfortable life.
If you want an experienced New York City personal injury attorney from Simonson Goodman Platzer PC to fight for your recovery, don’t hesitate to send us an email or call (800) 817-5029.