When your baby is diagnosed with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), understanding what happened can feel overwhelming. Imaging tests performed shortly after birth can provide critical clues about the timing and cause of your baby’s brain injury. By focusing on two key questions about these imaging results, you can begin to make sense of the situation and gather valuable information about your baby’s condition. At the conclusion of this post you will better understand why these two questions to ask about baby’s brain imaging after an HIE diagnosis are critical in completing the picture of what may have happened during labor and delivery.
Why Brain Imaging Is Essential After an HIE Injury
Imaging tests like a head ultrasound and MRI are vital for assessing your baby’s brain after an HIE diagnosis. A head ultrasound is often performed within 24 hours of birth and is used to detect swelling, bleeding, or other abnormalities. Defense lawyers may argue that if swelling is visible during this timeframe, the injury must have occurred before labor. They may claim swelling takes time to develop, so it couldn’t have been caused by events during delivery.
However, swelling does not always follow a predictable timeline. The rate at which it develops depends on factors like the severity of oxygen deprivation and whether hypothermia cooling was used. Measurements like your baby’s head circumference and birth weight for term gestational age can also counter claims of an earlier injury. A normal head size and weight indicate appropriate development in the womb, which often conflicts with theories of a chronic, antenatal injury.
Two Questions To Ask About Baby’s Brain Imaging After An HIE Diagnosis
To uncover the full picture, ask these two critical questions:
- What did the head ultrasound show about swelling or abnormalities, and how does this fit with what happened during labor and delivery?
- What does the MRI reveal about the areas of the brain affected, and how does that correlate with labor events?
Connecting the Imaging to Labor Events
By tying imaging results to labor details, you can identify whether a medical error or inadequate monitoring may have contributed to your baby’s injury. Don’t hesitate to ask your medical team for a thorough explanation of the findings.
If you have questions about your baby’s HIE diagnosis, reach out for help. These two questions to ask about baby’s brain imaging after an HIE diagnosis can get you going in the right direction especially if you have questions regarding what happened during your labor and your gut is suggesting that things may not have been handled appropriately.
Speak with me further about your baby’s HIE brain injury at birth you can reach out to me at my contact information below. Remember, it does not cost you any money to talk with me about your baby’s story.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
9701 Apollo Dr. Suite 100
Largo, Maryland 20774
301-850-4832
1-833-4 BABY HELP
