The Texas Department of State Health Services states that about 5 cases of birth injuries are reported every 1000 births. Every couple looks forward to holding a healthy baby in their arms. While sometimes things go wrong beyond anyone’s control, many birth injuries are caused due to negligence and were completely avoidable. This has a life-altering impact on the child and the parents.
If you have suffered such a fate and feel your baby’s injuries resulted from medical malpractice while in Houston birth injury lawyer.
Depending on the injury’s intensity, the baby could lose partial or complete functioning of some part of their body. Some injuries could even lead to the baby’s death within a couple of days or weeks. Here are some common birth injuries you should know about, which can help you understand the extent of medical negligence.
Hypoxia
This is caused due to lack of oxygen during birth and could lead to brain damage or organ failure in the infant. This condition can be avoided if the medical staff keeps an eye on the fetal heart rate. They should also immediately look into complications like placental abruptions or prolapsed umbilical cord cutting off the oxygen supply. About 1 in 3 babies are inflicted with hypoxia in Houston, at par with global records.
Infections
Infections during birthing or right after can be a result of the staff neglecting their hygiene protocols. It is entirely avoidable. Lack of hygiene or using equipment that has not been adequately sterilized can lead to infections that can lead to life-threatening complications. From breathing problems to rashes and fever, there could be multiple infection manifestations. 4 out of 10 births in Houston have mild to severe birth infections.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy results from brain injury; this could lead to partial or complete loss of muscle functions. CP can be caused by improper use of forceps, hypoxia, or vacuum extraction. Medical treatment for children with cerebral palsy can exceed $1 million in a city like Houston. It can also be a result of undiagnosed jaundice of the fetus. All of these can be prevented if the medical team remains vigilant.
Fractures
Breaking a bone can be a harrowing experience for an adult, so imagine what a newborn would go through if it has to suffer a fracture. If the doctor fails to monitor the baby’s position during the birthing properly, it could cause pressure in regions that can cause the bone to break. Broken collarbones are the most common fractures, followed by arms and legs. Skull fractures and even hemorrhages can also occur, leading to complications that might require lifelong treatment.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachial plexus nerves are responsible for controlling the limb movement during delivery, and injury to them can cause complications like shoulder dystocia. The child’s arms and shoulders cannot be adequately moved through the birth canal, and using pressure could lead to paralysis.
Cephalohematoma
In this condition, an injury during birthing can cause bleeding under the cranium. It mostly happens due to improper use of forceps or vacuum during the birthing process and can be seen as a lump on the baby’s head. While some conditions go away after a few months, some complications might arise if the bleeding is heavy, like anemia, jaundice, hypotension, and even meningitis in some extreme cases.
Facial Paralysis
If too much pressure is applied to the baby’s face during birthing, some nerves might rupture, leading to facial paralysis. The baby might be unable to close his eyes or control his facial muscles, leading to difficulties while feeding. Improper use of vacuum or forceps is the primary reason and, in some cases, could lead to complete facial paralysis.
The congenital disabilities surveillance laws and rules have formed the Texas Birth Defects Registry. It is responsible for monitoring birth-related injuries and has reduced the number of such injuries in Houston and other parts of the state. In Houston, with a birth injury lawyer, you will be able to file for compensation against those responsible for your baby’s injuries.
