Some birth injuries arise due to natural complications while others are the result of medical malpractice, or the failure of a medical provider to use an appropriate level of care during the birthing process. Either way, it is important to recognize the potential signs of a birth injury in a newborn so that you can get medical care and legal advice right away.
Visible Injuries
While not all birth injuries are visible and immediately apparent, some can cause physical signs in the newborn early after birth. You may be able to look at your infant and notice bruising, swelling, lumps on the scalp, broken or misshapen bones, or bleeding. These are signs of an injury that could be serious. Visible birth injuries may be caused by the misuse of birth-assistive tools, such as vacuums or forceps.
Difficulty Breathing
A newborn baby that shows trouble breathing or unusual breathing patterns, including rapid breathing or long pauses between breaths, could have respiratory complications from a birth injury.
Your medical team should be monitoring your newborn for signs of respiratory distress, especially if you had a difficult or complicated birth. Slow, shallow or irregular breathing or the need for resuscitation or a breathing tube can indicate issues such as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) or a lung injury.
Trouble Feeding
Difficulty feeding or swallowing can point to a birth injury. Common examples include nerve damage that has paralyzed the facial muscles or a brain injury, such as hypoxia (lack of oxygen reaching the brain, potentially causing brain damage or cerebral palsy). If your infant has trouble latching on or coordinating sucking and swallowing during feedings, it may be an outcome of a larger injury.
Constant Crying
All newborns cry, but if your baby has incessant crying that is inconsolable, a weak cry or a high-pitched scream, this could be a sign of something wrong. Painful injuries such as broken bones could cause these abnormal types of crying patterns, as could brain or nerve damage.
Seizures or Abnormal Movements
If your baby is having seizures, or you notice any twitching or jerking movements in your newborn, it could be an early sign of a brain injury. Repetitive twitching, jerking or stiffening of the limbs are red flags for brain trauma, such as hypoxia (a lack of oxygen reaching the brain during a difficult birth).
Muscle Development or Strength Issues
Brain trauma or nerve damage during birth could also lead to symptoms connected to the infant’s muscle development, tone, strength and coordination. If your child appears stronger on one side of the body, has trouble lifting one arm, or is excessively floppy or stiff, this could indicate a birth injury from a traumatic delivery.
Missed Milestones
As your newborn ages and grows, missed developmental milestones could be a sign of something amiss. While every child develops at their own pace, several missed milestones or significant developmental delays can indicate a brain injury with neurological or physical symptoms.
What to Do if You Suspect a Birth Injury
If you notice any potential signs of a birth injury in your newborn, bring your infant to the doctor for care, diagnosis and treatment. If your child is diagnosed with a birth injury, don’t hesitate to consult with a birth injury attorney in Minneapolis, Minnesota for legal advice. A lawyer will listen to your birth story, help you preserve and collect evidence of medical malpractice, and represent you in the fight for justice against a negligent health care provider. If you’d like to hear more about birth injury lawsuits, contact Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC today.