Advocating for Families Whose Children Suffered Preventable Birth Defects
Cerebral hypoxia occurs when oxygen flow to the baby’s head is disrupted in utero or during childbirth. A mild lack of oxygen can cause an acute situation that needs immediate attention to avoid long-term consequences. Severe hypoxia can lead to serious brain damage with resulting in permanent disabilities or death.
For more than 30 years, Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C., has helped families like yours whose children have suffered debilitating injuries. Our goal is to recover the financial resources you need to give your child the best chances of overcoming the challenges caused by brain damage.
Causes Of Oxygen Deprivation Prenatally And During Delivery
Doctors have a duty to assess the mother’s condition and take precautions to avoid problems with a high-risk pregnancy or delivery. For example, you should be screened for prenatal medical conditions that can reduce oxygen to your baby, including preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. In addition, doctors should promptly act to prevent such dangerous delivery situations as:
- Umbilical cord occlusion
- Rupture of the uterus
- Uterine torsion or prolapse
- Hemorrhaging of the placenta
- Breech position birth
- Prolonged labor
- Mother’s low blood pressure
- Infection
Prognosis For Hypoxic Brain Damage In Newborns
By acting quickly, doctors can often improve the prognosis for a baby who suffers from a neonatal stroke. However, if your obstetrician failed to detect hypoxia, your baby is likely to sustain irreparable brain damage. The repercussions of this type of birth injury depend on what part of the brain was deprived of oxygen, how long your baby’s brain was without sufficient oxygen and whether the hypoxia was complete or partial. Initial symptoms of hypoxic brain damage include:
- Problems with nursing
- Apnea
- Seizures
- Low Apgar score
Your child may suffer from physical, emotional and developmental problems as a result of medical malpractice. Recently, hypoxia has been linked to developing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood.
Recover Compensation For Brain Damage Your Baby Suffered At Birth
Learn more about helping your baby who suffered brain hypoxia during birth. Our lawyers offer parents an initial free consultation to discuss your baby’s legal rights, and we handle your birth injury case on contingency. Our Asheville-based firm represents injured children and their families throughout North Carolina and the southeastern United States through pro hac vice admission.
Call Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C., at (828) 383-8414 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.