Hypoxia – Lack of Oxygen During Childbirth Can Lead to Cerebral Palsy and Severe Brain Damage
When a baby is deprived of oxygen before and/or during delivery, the consequences to the long-term health of the child can be catastrophic. “Hypoxia” is the term used for this inadequate level of oxygen, and several different injuries can occur as a result, the most common and well-known being cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is actually not one condition, but rather is a group of disorders that can involve brain and nervous system functions including movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking. Some children diagnosed with cerebral palsy are able to live productive lives, but others may be severely disabled and require constant medical care and attention.
Additional conditions caused by hypoxia or anoxia (a complete lack of oxygen) include:
- Anemia
- Asthma
- Brain injury
- Emphysema
- Headache
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Pneumonia
- Shock
- Sleep apnea
There can be several causes of hypoxia during and immediately prior to delivery, including:
- unusual birthing position
- problems with the umbilical cord
- prolonged labor and delivery
Advances in technology, such as fetal heart rate monitors, and other close monitoring of the baby’s vital signs during labor and delivery should alert physicians and nurses as to dangerously low oxygen levels and the need to take urgent action. Typically, this will involve ordering an emergency caesarian section.
Every second that a baby is deprived of oxygen is critical, and if the obstetrician or the obstetrical nurses have failed to follow accepted standards of care for the prompt and timely delivery of the baby, medical malpractice or negligence may have occurred. It is important to consult with an experienced birth injury attorney to discuss the circumstances surrounding your child’s birth if they are suffering from cerebral palsy or other conditions that may have been caused by a lack of oxygen during labor or delivery. Compensation may be available to assist you with the long-term costs of care and other damages if the medical professionals in attendance failed to meet their responsibilities.
Alan Welch: Brunswick Birth Injury Lawyer
If you believe your child suffered from a medical error during labor or delivery, or if your child passed prior to delivery, please give me a call at (912) 265-9811 for a free consultation to discuss your situation. Together, we will figure out what happened, what we can do, and how we can take every possible step to bring you the comfort and compensation that can aid in your child’s recovery.
This article has been prepared by J. Alan Welch Law for informational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This blog is for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the attorney or law firm. The blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.