Chicago Birth Injury Lawyer

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Some children diagnosed with HIE may be diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) as the physical symptoms of their brain damage become more apparent. CP is a condition that limits a child’s ability to control their muscles, restricting movement, balance, and posture. The effects of the disorder originate from damage to or abnormal development of the brain. This injury to the brain can result from birth trauma, infection (e.g., meningitis), oxygen deprivation, or other birth injuries or complications, especially impacting the head.

There are different types of CP, and symptoms vary widely from one individual to the next depending on the type and degree of brain injury, with some unable to walk without assistive devices. CP doesn’t progress over time, but a person’s symptoms can change or become more or less apparent with age and further development. Additionally, many people with CP experience related conditions, including seizures, vision and hearing problems, intellectual disabilities, spine problems, such as scoliosis, or problems with their joints. 

There’s no cure for CP, but early intervention, certain medications, surgeries, medical devices, and different types of therapy can help manage the condition and improve some individuals’ functioning and quality of life.

Brachial Plexus Palsy (Erb’s Palsy)

The most common type of brachial plexus palsy is Erb’s palsy, named after the doctor who first diagnosed the condition. It affects the shoulder and elbow muscles and impacts approximately one to two of every 1,000 babies. It’s often the result of a difficult birth, leading to the improper bending or stretching of the newborn’s head and neck. Circumstances that can increase an infant’s risk of brachial plexus palsy include:

• Untreated or improperly treated maternal diabetes
• Abnormal position of the baby (e.g., breech)
• Large for gestational age baby (or macrosomia)
• Operative vaginal delivery (forceps or vacuum)
• Pushing on the top of the mother’s stomach during delivery (fundal pressure)
• Excessive pulling on the baby’s head during delivery
• Bending of the baby’s head and neck during delivery

The brachial plexus is a tangle of nerves near the neck that send signals to the nerves in a person’s arms, extending from the shoulders to the fingers to help control their arm muscles. Damage to the nerves of the brachial plexus results in brachial plexus palsy, a condition leading to partial or total paralysis affecting a child’s arm movement. Total plexus palsy results in restricted or complete loss of muscle functioning in the arm, hand, and wrist.

If a child’s injury persists after physical and occupational therapy, they might need surgery to repair the nerves and regain feeling and movement in their arm.

Head Trauma

Newborn head trauma resulting from the birthing process can include extracranial (outside the skull) and intracranial (inside the skull) injuries. Damage can be wide-ranging in severity, from minor bruising and swelling to serious internal brain bleeds and fractures.

The misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery, aggressive contractions, trouble pushing the baby through the birth canal, and various other birth complications putting excessive pressure on the newborn’s skull can lead to head trauma in your child.

Your infant’s prognosis depends on the specific head injury and timely course of treatment. For example, intracranial hemorrhages can be deadly if not promptly and appropriately treated. Some instances of head trauma are resolvable within a few weeks or months, while other injuries to the head can have long-term consequences.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries in your newborn are often the result of medical malpractice during the birthing process or before birth. These serious injuries can happen when doctors use aggressive maneuvers, twisting and pulling the baby to compel a quick birth when complications are present, such as problems with the umbilical cord leading to oxygen scarcity. Your doctor also might apply extra force on the spinal cord during your delivery if they use tools, such as vacuums and forceps, improperly.

Most spinal cord injuries are immediately apparent. However, sometimes an injury can take several minutes to days to manifest physically or outwardly. Newborns suffering from a spinal cord injury might seem floppy or lack muscle control in their limbs. They can also experience a loss of bladder and bowel function, breathing problems, muscle spasms, and a lack of reflexes.

Spinal cord injuries are severe injuries often causing permanent damage. Immediate treatment and intervention are necessary to prevent any worsening of the condition. Surgeries and different therapies might be needed to mitigate the effect of the injury and provide a more hopeful prognosis. Extensive lifelong care and medical attention are a possibility.