If your child suffered a hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) birth injury that led to cerebral palsy, a free case evaluation can help you understand whether the outcome may have been preventable.
About the Investigation
Did your child suffer an HIE birth injury that caused cerebral palsy? Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy is a brain injury that can occur during or shortly after birth when blood flow or oxygen to the brain is blocked during a difficult labor or delivery. When blood or oxygen flow is denied to the newborn, serious conditions can result, including cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects muscle coordination, mobility, balance, and learning. Severity varies, and it often follows a birth injury to the brain.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy results from disrupted brain development. It can be linked to infant head injuries, maternal infection during pregnancy, or birth injury. HIE is one of the known causes of cerebral palsy.
Birth Injuries That Can Lead to Cerebral Palsy
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• Forceps, clamps, or vacuum pump use that can place pressure on a baby’s head
• Adverse reactions to Pitocin used to speed up labor
• Brain bleeding or hemorrhages from fetal distress when a baby is stuck too long in the birth canal
• Oxygen deprivation for too long leading to brain damage
• Blood pressure fluctuations
• Placental abruption causing bleeding, shock, and brain damage or death
How Cerebral Palsy Can Affect a Child
Once diagnosed, cerebral palsy is lifelong. Medical care and therapies help maximize quality of life. Possible effects include:
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• Learning disabilities, delayed development, seizures
• Vision, hearing, and speech issues
• Dental problems, drooling, incontinence
• Spinal deformities, osteoarthritis, pain
• Sensory processing issues, recurrent infections
• Anxiety, depression, and other emotional challenges
Families also face significant long term financial costs for treatment, therapy, and accommodations.
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