Birth Injuries, Cerebral Palsy

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Birth injuries can be defined as injury to the fetus sustained during the labor and delivery process. Approximately 6 to 8 injuries per 1,000 live births occur in America each year.  Some of the most common injuries are related to prolonged or difficult labor, use of forceps, an abrupt delivery, or prolonged fetal distress.

Birth injuries can be varied.  Trauma to the peripheral nerves produces a major group of birth injuries.  Brachial plexus injuries, or injuries to the network of interjoining nerves in the neck, are caused by stretching of the cervical roots during delivery, usually when shoulder dystocia is present. Shoulder dystocia occurs when the babyıs head is delivered, but the shoulders cannot be delivered because they are stuck behind the mother's pubic bone.

Upper arm palsy (Erb's palsy), is the most common brachial plexus injury.  Shoulder dystocia may occur when a baby is unusually large.  An ultrasound scan will help determine whether the baby is too big to pass through the motherıs pelvis which would necessitate a cesarean delivery.

Another group of disorders characterized by loss of movement or loss of nerve functions is called cerebral palsy.  These disorders are caused by injuries to the brain that occur during fetal development at or near the time of birth.  The incidence of cerebral palsy is approximately 2 to 4 individuals for every 1,000 births.  Cerebral palsy is caused by hypoxia (low oxygen) to the brain.  Classifications of cerebral palsy include: spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, and mixed cerebral palsy.  Spastic cerebral palsy includes about half of the cases.

Babies born with cerebral palsy may not have signs of the condition at birth.  This is because the babyıs nervous system needs to mature further before the signs become evident. However,  babies with severe forms of cerebral palsy may have signs of the condition at birth or shortly thereafter.  Signs of spastic quadriplegia include problems sucking and swallowing, a weak or shrill cry, either a very floppy body or a very stiff body, irritable when awake, sleeps a lot.  Some of the early signs noticeable by the age of three months include the babyıs failure to turn to sudden noise, does not follow objects with his or her eyes, or does not show facial expression.

Although there is no cure for cerebral palsy, the symptoms do not progress over time. If you or someone you know believes that a child was injured during the birthing process, call Phillips & Mitchell toll free at 1-866-321-1580 for a free consultation or click here for a Free Case Review.