Not many life milestones are as transformational as becoming a parent. And after enduring months of mood swings, morning sicknesses and other pregnancy-related complications, all you want is to deliver a healthy baby and begin your parenting journey.
Sometimes, however, things can go terribly wrong before or during delivery. Brain injury at birth is one of the most devastating types of injuries your little bundle of joy can suffer. If your baby sustained a brain injury at birth due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve justice. But how exactly do these injuries happen?
Here are some of the leading causes of brain injuries at birth
Oxygen deprivation
Birth asphyxia or oxygen deprivation is not uncommon before or during birth. The risk of asphyxia is even greater in premature births. Some of the ways a baby can experience oxygen deprivation during labor and birth include:
- When the mother’s blood has too little oxygen
- When labor is prolonged or when complications arise during labor and delivery
Often, these circumstances can be detected and corrected before the baby can suffer irreparable damage.
Maternal infections
Certain viral and bacterial infections can cause serious damage to the brain if they pass over from the mother to their unborn baby. Infections that can cause brain damage include Rubella, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Group B streptococcus and Cytomegalovirus. Besides the risk of brain injury, some of these infections can also lead to premature or stillbirth.
Physical trauma
Trauma during labor and delivery can also cause injury to the baby’s fragile skull and brain. For instance, improper use of birth assisting devices like forceps and vacuum extraction can lead to head and brain damage.
The brain is one of the most fragile organs in the human body. And no one has a more fragile brain than an infant. If your child sustains a preventable brain injury at birth, you may be able to hold the liable party to account through a birth injury lawsuit.
