When a parent is told that their child has suffered a brain injury following birth, there are many questions which flow through their mind. In my experience, one of the most common questions is how something like this could happen?
There can be multiple ways in which a baby come suffer a brain injury at birth. With that said, for the purposes of this Maryland medical malpractice educational article, I am going to talk about umbilical cord prolapse and cord compression.
WHAT IS UMBILICAL CORD PROLAPSE?
The umbilical cord is an important part of a baby’s growth and development. Many people have called it the baby’s life line because of its function. The umbilical cord develops from the placenta and provides the baby with important nutrients. Blood and oxygen are delivered to the baby, among other things, through the umbilical cord.
Umbilical cord prolapse is the medical condition in which the umbilical cord is delivered before the baby. Normally, the baby will work its way through the birth canal before the umbilical cord.
HOW A COMPRESSED UMBILICAL CORD AND CORD PROLAPSE CAN CAUSE A BRAIN INJURY
As for the statement how a compressed umbilical cord and cord prolapse can cause a brain injury, the answer is hinted in the statement. When dealing with cord prolapse, one of the most serious concerns is the cord to getting compressed and restricting the flow of blood and oxygen to the baby.
As the baby makes its way out for delivery, the baby can compress the cord ahead of it. Doctors can sometimes see the compression reflected in a sudden drop in the baby’s heart rate, as reflected on the fetal heart monitor. If the compression restricts the cord long enough fetal hypoxia or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can occur. HIE essentially means a restriction of blood and oxygen which leads to a brain injury.
DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR BABY’S BRAIN INJURY?
After reviewing the above, hopefully you have a better understanding of how a compressed umbilical cord and cord prolapse can cause a brain injury. When doctors fail to diagnose and treat these conditions properly, a brain injury can occur. In many cases, and emergency C-section will have to be performed when certain factors are present to help the baby.
To speak with me further regarding the challenges your child may face in the future this is what I invite you to do. Pick up the phone and give me a call. I can be reached at 301-850-4832. I answer Maryland birth injury and medical malpractice questions just like yours all the time and I will be happy to listen to your story.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
Boston Law Group, LLC
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
