What are two questions for your doctor if you suspect your baby has a brain injury at birth? Although this article will focus on two areas of analysis, remember, there can be many issues present when a baby has a brain injury. For many parents, confusion abounds when they are told that their baby has suffered an injury at birth. This can often lead to understandable worry and concern.
In this Maryland birth injury article, I am going to help you understand two critical areas of analysis if you suspect that your baby has suffered a brain injury at birth. If you are feeling overwhelmed right now, know that you are not alone. Remember, that there are professionals who can guide you through this process.
QUESTION 1. DID A HYPOXIC EVENT OCCUR OR IS HIE PRESENT?
The easiest way to understand hypoxia is to remember that it deals with oxygen. Oxygen plays a vital role in the birthing process. When we are dealing with HIE, or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, we are essentially dealing with a reduced level of blood and oxygen leading to a brain injury in the baby. Doctors and nurses have to be on the lookout for HIE with the help of the electronic fetal heart monitor.
The electronic fetal heart monitor is used in many hospitals all across the United States. It helps doctors and nurses to determine if a baby is tolerating a vaginal delivery. Failure to properly interpret and analyze the readings from the monitor can sometimes lead to a devastating injury for the baby, namely a brain injury.
So, it is important to know whether a reduced level of blood and oxygen played a role in the delivery. The answer to this question can provide you with a lot of information regarding the possible cause of your child’s injury.
QUESTION 2. DID MY BABY SUFFER SEIZURES?
When a baby suffers a brain injury at birth, one of the things to be on the look out for are seizures. Sometimes seizures can be easily observed, and in other cases, the seizures will be subtle. Subtle seizures can be further explained with the following:
- These types of seizures can sometimes be overlooked because they can be difficult to recognize. Eyelid blinking or fluttering, eyes rolling up, eye opening, and a fixed gaze can all be signs of subtle seizures. In addition, tongue protrusions can also be signs of subtle seizures. Subtle seizures are the most common type of seizure in babies.
As a parent, if your child has suffered seizures, you are going to want to know if there have been head/brain scans done on your child. The results of these scans can give doctors a better understanding as to possible treatment and diagnosis for your child.
TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR BABY HAS A BRAIN INJURY…
Even though there are many areas of analysis present when a baby has suffered a brain injury at birth, it is my hope that understanding these two questions for your doctor if you suspect your baby has a brain injury, will get you on the right track to finding answers.
To speak with me further if you have more questions regarding the journey your baby will face going into the future, this is what I invite you to do. I can be reached at 301-850-4832. I answer birth injury questions like yours all the time and I would be happy to listen to your story.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
Boston Law Group, LLC
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
301-850-4832
1-833-4 BABY HELP
