There are certain birth injuries most people know about, such as cerebral palsy, bone fractures, postpartum hemorrhage, and more.
There are, however, just as many (if not more) birth injuries of which people have never heard. Below, our Baltimore attorneys discuss three birth injuries you should know.
#1. Caput Succedaneum
Caput succedaneum refers to swelling that occurs in a baby’s scalp shortly after birth. Such swelling is often caused by the pressure that an infant experiences while passing through the mother’s birth canal.
Typically, this condition is not life-threatening and will resolve on its own or with treatment. However, if left untreated, caput succedaneum can develop into jaundice.
#2. Horner’s Syndrome
Horner’s syndrome is caused by damage to the nerve pathway that leads from the brain to the eye and face. It’s a rare condition and affects only 1.42 out of every 100,000 people under the age of 19. However, 65% of Horner’s syndrome cases are caused by trauma during labor and delivery,
The common symptoms of Horner’s syndrome include, but are not limited to, the following:
Different pupil sizes
Dropping of the affected upper eyelid
The affected eye may appear bloodshot
The iris in each eye may be a different color
In order to treat Horner’s syndrome, the underlying cause of the condition must be addressed. For example, if the condition is caused by a brachial plexus injury, that injury must heal in order for Horner’s syndrome to resolve. This may be done through surgery, therapy, or medication.
#3. Fetal Acidosis
Fetal acidosis involves a high concentration of hydrogen ions in the blood. This often results from hypoxia (a lack of oxygen) or anoxia (no oxygen) during the labor and delivery process. Prolonged hypoxia can cause severe acidosis which is related to significant morbidity and mortality with potential long-term consequences.
The severity of these long-term consequences depends on the length of time the infant experienced oxygen deprivation. Therefore, it’s vitally important for attending physicians to monitor both the mother and the baby intently for signs of distress.
If your child suffered an injury at birth, our Baltimore attorneys have the experience and resources needed to take on large hospitals and insurance companies and help you recover the compensation you need for your child’s medical care.
Contact Brown & Barron, LLC at (410) 698-1717 to schedule a free consultation.