Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is one of the most debilitating and damaging birth injuries that a child could sustain. Also known as HIE, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is a type of brain damage due to decreased blood flow bringing rich, oxygenated blood to the baby’s brain. The longer that the hypoxic condition continues, the more damage to the newborn’s brain that will occur. This damage causes lesions in the brain which are irreversible and incurable. While hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy could have occur at any time during the pregnancy, the most common time for each HIE to cause damage to a newborn is during the labor and delivery process. This is also the most common time that HIE from labor and delivery errors could occur. Our Oregon birth injury lawyers explain some of the common causes of labor and delivery errors resulting in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy to newborn children.
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy his brain damage to a newborn caused by a decrease in oxygen to the newborn’s brain. This decrease in oxygen is caused by a decreased flow of blood. It is this flow of blood which is what carries fresh oxygen to the baby’s brain. A newborn’s brain is rapidly developing and any decrease in oxygen can result in severe personal injuries, even if just for a few minutes. This is particularly true during the labor and delivery process.
The damages caused by hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy are permanent and can be incredibly debilitating. One of the common damages that HIE can cause are damages to the basal ganglia and cerebellum. Both of these parts of the brain govern movement. A newborn that has suffered damage to these parts of the brain is likely to develop cerebral palsy. Damages to other parts of the brain caused by hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy could result in other developmental delays and learning disabilities. When ever a child is diagnosed with any hypoxic or anoxic injury, it is a very serious issue and needs to be immediately treated and addressed.
There are many possible causes of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy that could occurred during the labor and delivery process. This process is when contractions have started any mother begins to deliver the baby. While most healthcare providers do an excellent job of caring for the mother and the baby, labor and delivery errors are common and do close significant or catastrophic injuries.
Some of the most common causes of labor and delivery errors resulting in hypoxic scheme and encephalopathy include the following:
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