Oxygen deprivation during delivery significantly increases the risks of newborns suffering developmental delays, brain damage, and serious conditions that create a lifetime of medical and financial needs. In the most severe cases, newborns can suffer from permanent impairment, cerebral palsy, and complications that can shorten their lifespan or result in death.
When it comes to oxygen deprivation, babies may suffer from anoxia (the absence of oxygen in the brain, often resulting in permanent brain damage) or hypoxia (a term used to describe low levels of oxygen). While a lack of oxygen is a known risk during labor and delivery, the failures of medical professionals can make the problem worse, such as when they fail to identify warning signs and complications or fail to appropriately respond to critical situations. These instances of substandard care can increase the length of time a baby experiences oxygen deprivation, which in turn can affect the extent of damage.
Healthcare Provider Responsibilities
During delivery, doctors and other treating medical professionals have an obligation to identify complications that any reasonable medical professional would be able to identify and respond to under similar circumstances. For example, medical professionals should closely monitor and identify signs of fetal distress during delivery in order to identify signs of oxygen deprivation and distress. When they are able to do so, they can make an appropriate response, which may include an emergency C-section, administration of hypothermia therapy (head cooling), or another timely response.
How Doctors Fall Short of Their Duty
Due to various forms of negligence and substandard care, medical professionals may fail in their duty to appropriately identify and respond to oxygen deprivation. This may result from:
- Failures to monitor signs of fetal distress
- Failures to identify and treat hypoxic ischemia
- Failures to identify preeclampsia, umbilical cord issues, or other problems
- Failures to form C-sections or unreasonable delayed C-sections
Delays in performing head cooling
Because negligence may prevent doctors from identifying hypoxic or anoxic injuries during delivery, families can still work with medical professionals to determine if their child suffered some type of damage. By performing tests such MRIs, EKGs, and EEGs shortly after birth or the following months, doctors may diagnose brain damage to certain parts of the brain. These tests may be warranted when brain damage is suspected or when a child presents various noticeable symptoms, such as seizures, feeding problems, sleep apnea, and low Apgar scores.
With information regarding the circumstances present at birth, actions of treating medical professionals, and evidence provided through testing after birth, families can work with proven attorneys like those at Beam Legal Team to determine when and how oxygen deprivation harmed their child. This information will also be critical to highlighting the failures of treating medical professionals and securing the compensation victims and families need during birth injury lawsuits.
Signs and Symptoms of Oxygen Deprivation During Birth
As mentioned, medical professionals have a responsibility to recognize the signs and symptoms of oxygen deprivation in newborns. Early identification can be critical in preventing long-term complications. Below are some signs healthcare professionals should monitor and that families should be aware of during birth:
- Abnormal Heart Rate: Irregularities in heart rate, such as bradycardia (slow heart rate) or tachycardia (fast heart rate)
- Lack of Fetal Movement: Reduced or absent movement during labor
- Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid: Presence of meconium (baby’s first stool) in the amniotic fluid, indicating fetal distress
- Skin Color Changes: Bluish or pale skin tone, particularly noticeable on the lips and around the mouth
- Low Apgar Scores: Apgar scores (a standardized assessment of a newborn’s health) below 7 at five minutes post-birth, possibly indicating oxygen deprivation
Oxygen Deprivation and Fetal Stroke
Although most people tend to associate strokes with older individuals, babies also face risks of experiencing strokes, particularly after being deprived of oxygen in the newborn period. Fetal stroke is the term used to describe a stroke, or brain infarct, which occurs during gestation or the time of labor and delivery.
Fetal stroke is a significant risk-factor for birth injuries, including serious damage and conditions that cause permanent brain injury, impairment, and intellectual disabilities. Fetal stroke is also known to be one of the greatest risk factors for cerebral palsy. Due to the serious nature of neonatal strokes, it becomes essential for families considering a birth injury lawsuit to understand its causes and whether it could and should have been prevented in their unique case.
Long-Term Effects of Oxygen Deprivation
Oxygen deprivation during delivery can lead to significant long-term effects on a child’s development. These may include:
- Physical Impacts: Cerebral palsy, motor impairments, and respiratory issues
- Cognitive Challenges: Developmental delays, learning disabilities, and intellectual impairment
- Emotional and Behavioral Issues: Increased risk of attention deficit disorders and emotional dysregulation
- Quality of Life: Effects on daily activities, independence, and overall well-being throughout life
Legal Rights and Options for Families
If your child has suffered oxygen deprivation during birth and you suspect medical negligence, it’s important to understand your legal rights. Here’s what you can do:
- Seek a Second Opinion: Obtain an independent medical assessment to understand the extent of the injury.
- Document Medical Interactions: Keep detailed records of all medical consultations, treatments, and communications.
- Consult With a Birth Injury Attorney: Explore potential legal claims and options for seeking compensation.
- File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit: Work with your lawyer to understand the process and requirements for filing a lawsuit against negligent medical providers.
- Advocate for Your Child’s Future: Pursue justice to secure necessary resources and support for your child’s ongoing care and development.
Beam Legal Team Can Help
If you would like to discuss a potential birth injury case with a Chicago birth injury lawyer from Beam Legal Team, do not hesitate to reach out for a free and confidential consultation. Our attorneys have secured over $500 million in compensation for our clients due to our experience and commitment to the families we serve – and we are prepared to help make the difference for you. Contact us to get started.
Originally published September 20, 2017.
