A hypoxic or anoxic brain injury at birth can lead to severe complications that affect the child for the rest of his or her life. A hypoxic brain injury occurs when there is partial oxygen loss; whereas, an anoxic brain injury is one related to complete oxygen loss.
Causes of Hypoxic and Anoxic Injury
Various events during childbirth may cause oxygen deprivation. The severity and nature of the oxygen loss may dictate whether the child suffers a hypoxic or anoxic brain injury.
Umbilical cord prolapse could lead to a lack of oxygen, and so could placental abruption (separation of placenta from uterine wall). Other events that cause fetal distress could lead to a lack of oxygen, requiring swift action on behalf of the medical team handling the labor and delivery process.
Complications of Hypoxic or Anoxic Injury
A child with hypoxic-anoxic brain injury may struggle with a lifetime of mental and physical problems. These problems include developmental delays, vision or speech problems, and even mental retardation. Motor and coordination problems are also common, and lack of oxygen at birth may cause cerebral palsy in some cases.
These complications may necessitate long-term and lifetime care, such as rehabilitation and other costs associated with special needs children. Such costs can be very high and may be difficult for many parents to manage. An attorney can be of help if pursuing a negligence claim to recover compensation for damages.
Contacting a Malpractice Attorney for Help
A brain injury can require years of expensive medical care and treatment. The Becker Law Firm is a medical malpractice firm that can help parents review their next steps after a child has suffered from a brain injury related to medical negligence. Contact us today at (440) 252-4399.