Could My Infant’s Spine Have Been Damaged at Birth?

 Posted on February 28, 2022 in Birth Injury

Every day, parents in Illinois experience the joy of welcoming their newborn into their arms. For some parents, however, what should be an exciting experience turns into a nightmare when a delivery becomes complicated and an infant suffers severe injuries or death. Spinal cord injuries during childbirth are rare, but they have life-threatening consequences for babies who suffer from them. A lifetime of intensive medical care may be necessary, and your child may never be able to live independently. If your infant suffered from an avoidable spinal cord injury during childbirth because of negligent medical care, consider getting help from an Illinois birth injury lawyer. 

Neonatal Spinal Cord Injuries 

While spinal cord injuries do not happen often, when they do happen, they nearly always have catastrophic consequences. Right away, doctors and parents may notice an alarming lack of movement, loss of reflexes, breathing issues, and no response to painful stimuli. Many infants who suffer from spinal cord injuries ultimately pass away, and those who live generally have long-term consequences that include: 

• Paralysis
• Limb weakness
• Respiratory insufficiency
• Hypercapnia, or the buildup of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream 
• Swallowing dysfunction or other reflex problems

The emotional and financial cost of managing spinal cord injuries and related conditions can be an overwhelming burden to parents who may find themselves caring for their child around the clock forever. Caregiver burnout, financial distress, and other similar problems are common.

What Causes Neonatal Spinal Cord Injuries? 

Spinal cord injuries during birth are usually the result of a traumatic birth with complicating factors. For example, an infant who gets stuck during vaginal delivery may require the assistance of a doctor who may use vacuum suction, forceps, or other assistive tools. These carry serious risks if not used properly and can harm an infant’s spinal cord. Other risk factors for spinal cord injuries include, but are not limited to: 

• An infant in breech position
• Prolonged labor
• Premature birth or very low birth weight
• Macrosomia, or very high birth weight 
• Low amniotic fluid levels
• An infant whose head is disproportionately larger than the mother’s birth canal 

Call a Chicago Spinal Cord Birth Injury Lawyer 

Finding out that your precious infant suffered from a severe spinal cord injury at birth can be frightening and confusing. When severe infant injuries or death happen during delivery, it is important to determine whether a third party is responsible and, if so, to hold them accountable. The experienced Chicago birth injury attorneys with Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. have experience investigating birth injuries, finding signs of medical malpractice, and aggressively helping your clients pursue the compensation to which they may be entitled. For a free review of your case, call us today at 312-462-4200. 

Source:

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2020.00514/full