When parents learn that their child has been diagnosed with autism, they often wonder what caused it. While autism is often linked to genetic and environmental factors, its exact causes remain complex. In some cases, unforeseen circumstances may play a role.
For some families, discovering a preventable birth injury raises new questions: Could medical negligence be responsible for their child’s condition? Understanding the difference between a birth injury and a developmental disorder is crucial for determining whether legal action may be warranted.
Birth Injuries vs. Developmental Conditions Like Autism
A birth injury refers to physical harm an infant sustains during labor or delivery, often due to medical mistakes or oversights. These injuries can be devastating, leading to lifelong challenges, including neurological disorders that affect brain function and physical development.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), on the other hand, is a developmental condition that impacts how a child communicates, learns, interacts socially, and manages behavior.
While the exact causes of autism aren’t fully understood, some children who exhibit autism-like traits may have suffered brain damage at birth, which can cause or worsen these symptoms.
If you suspect that a birth injury may be linked to your child’s condition, a Chicago birth injury lawyer can help determine whether medical negligence contributed and pursue the compensation your family deserves.
How Birth Injuries Can Lead to Autism-Like Symptoms
Certain birth injuries can cause brain damage, leading to symptoms that resemble autism, including speech delays, difficulty with social interactions, and behavioral challenges. In some cases, these neurological impairments may mimic or even worsen the characteristics of ASD.
Several birth-related complications may contribute to these neurological issues, including:
Oxygen Deprivation (Hypoxia or HIE)
Oxygen deprivation during birth, known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), is a serious birth injury that can cause lasting neurological damage. This occurs when a baby does not receive enough oxygen before, during, or shortly after delivery.
When the brain is deprived of oxygen, critical functions such as cognitive ability, sensory processing, and communication may be affected, areas often linked to autism.
Research suggests that babies who experience oxygen deprivation at birth have a higher risk of developing autism-like symptoms later in life.
While some cases of HIE are unavoidable, others occur due to medical negligence, such as failing to detect fetal distress, delaying a necessary C-section, or mismanaging umbilical cord complications.
Traumatic Brain Injuries During Delivery
Physical trauma during labor and delivery can cause serious brain injuries, leading to lasting neurodevelopmental challenges. Improper use of delivery tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors may result in skull fractures, intracranial hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain), or other forms of brain damage.
Excessive force during delivery, particularly in cases of shoulder dystocia (when the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck), can further endanger a newborn. This can lead to oxygen deprivation and nerve damage, increasing the risk of long-term health complications. These injuries may impair motor function and contribute to cognitive and behavioral challenges.
In some cases, birth trauma can cause permanent impairments that mimic autism symptoms, leading to a potential misdiagnosis. What appears to be a developmental disorder may actually be an undetected brain injury affecting the child’s ability to communicate, learn, and engage socially.
Medical Studies on Birth Injuries and Autism
Scientific research has explored the connection between birth-related trauma and autism spectrum disorders. Some key findings include:
- A 2017 study examined the health records of 594,638 births over 18 years. It found that children who had birth complications, including a lack of oxygen leading to HIE, were more likely to develop autism.
- A 2024 study in Molecular Autism found that birth asphyxia, when combined with febrile seizures later in childhood, may increase the risk of autism symptoms.
While these studies suggest a potential connection, autism remains a complex disorder with many contributing factors, making it essential to have medical experts review each case individually.
How a Birth Injury Lawyer Can Help
Proving that a child’s autism diagnosis stems from a preventable birth injury requires a thorough investigation, including medical record reviews and expert testimony.
In these complex cases, a Chicago birth injury lawyer can be a crucial ally, guiding families through the legal process by:
- Examining Medical Records: Identify signs of distress, medical errors, or delays in care that could indicate a preventable birth injury.
- Consulting Medical Experts: Collaborate with medical experts to determine if the birth injury could have been prevented and evaluate its potential connection to the child’s condition.
- Gathering Evidence: Gather and analyze key evidence to determine whether medical negligence or substandard care contributed to the birth injury and the child’s diagnosis.
- Filing a Birth Injury Claim: Assist families in filing a legal claim to pursue compensation for medical expenses, ongoing therapies, special education needs, and other long-term costs associated with the child’s care.
Contact a Chicago Birth Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If your child has been diagnosed with autism and you suspect a birth injury may be to blame, you deserve answers. At Beam Legal Team, our experienced Chicago birth injury lawyers are ready to investigate your case and determine whether medical negligence played a role in your child’s condition.
We offer free, confidential consultations to review your child’s medical history and discuss your legal options.
There may be time limits for filing a claim. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward securing the compensation your child deserves.