In the United States alone, 7 out of 1000 children suffer birth injuries. As per the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in 2013, the ratio of birth trauma- the neonatal injury was 1.9% for every 1,000 births. Birth injuries are the injuries the infant receives before, during, and after the mother conceives the fetus. If you have a baby or grandchild on the way, it's important to be aware of the most common birth injuries.

When healthcare professionals make careless mistakes or offer poor-quality treatment during childbirth, some complications may arise for the pregnant woman or the unborn child because of medical negligence. In some cases, medical negligence can also cause the death of the unborn baby or the pregnant mother.

Most birth injuries caused by medical negligence might result in severe health conditions or last a lifetime. If your child has suffered birth injuries because of medical negligence, In that case, you can hire birth injury attorneys to receive compensation for the damages suffered by the baby and use it to get better medical treatment for the baby.

6 Common Birth Injuries Caused by Medical Negligence

Medical negligence can cause short-term and long-term effects for the infant and the mother. Have a look at the most common birth injuries listed below that arise due to medical negligence.

• Cerebral Palsy

It is a lifetime birth injury that will affect the motor abilities of the baby because of overdeveloped or weak muscles. Failing to recognize that the fetus lacks oxygen supply, not treating jaundice, proceeding with natural birth when C-section is required, and improper usage of delivery-aiding tools will come under medical negligence that causes cerebral palsy.

• Brain Damage

During childbirth, four common kinds happen because of trauma and medical negligence, which lead to birth injuries. Periventricular leukomalacia arises after the white matter in the fetus's brain is lost, leading to brain tissue loss. The reduced oxygen and blood supply to the brain causes Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

Intracranial hemorrhage indicates bleeding in the fetus's brain and primarily arises in premature birth cases. Cerebral dysgenesis means abnormal growth of the brain of the fetus. The infant can suffer from cerebral dysgenesis when the baby sustains any head injury during the delivery or right after childbirth.

• Birth Asphyxia

Birth asphyxia arises when the fetus's brain or organ does not obtain sufficient oxygen levels before, during, or after the delivery. It can be referred to as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Infants suffer from birth asphyxia due to uterine rupture, placental abruption, or collapsed or squeezed umbilical cord. When medical professionals do not respond and treat the fetus instantly in pain, birth asphyxia will arise due to medical negligence.

• Erb's Palsy

Erb's palsy is another common birth injury that occurs due to the negligence of healthcare professionals. Erb's palsy arises when damage is done to the brachial plexus nerves. Exaggerated stretching, pulling, or crushing of these nerves can result in Erb's palsy. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons states that 1 out of 1000 infants has Erb's palsy during birth.

• Facial Paralysis 

When the infant is exposed to elevated pressure during childbirth, the baby will suffer from facial paralysis. Due to facial paralysis, some infants might be unable to close their eyes on one side, and a few babies might not be able to move either the right or left side of their face.

• Cephalohematoma

Cephalohematoma means bleeding beneath the cranial bone. It is usually the outcome of improper usage of birth-assisting tools during the delivery process by medical professionals. Because of this injury, infants have a high chance of suffering from low blood pressure, anemia, jaundice, etc.

Bottom Line

Medical negligence in any form, including inadequate delivery methods, rushed labor, failure to detect early signs of preventable diseases in babies, improper usage of medical equipment, and careless delivery, can cause birth injuries for both the babies and complications for the mother. Professional lawyers can help you fail a birth injury claim and obtain as much compensation as possible.