Intracranial Hemorrhage Can Affect Newborns

It is very scary when an infant suffers a birth injury, especially when it is serious. Bleeding in the brain, also known as intracranial hemorrhage has been known to affect newborns, although it is much more prevalent among premature infants.

When a newborn suffers from intracranial hemorrhage, the symptoms are not always apparent. However, if the baby appears to be lethargic, isn’t feeding properly or is experiencing seizures, it is a good indication that there is bleeding in the brain.

Bleeding can occur in various places within the newborn’s skull. Some of the types of hemorrhages include the following:

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage: This term is used to describe bleeding that occurs below the innermost area of the two membranes that cover the brain. It is the most common type of bleeding in the skull.
• Subdural hemorrhage: This condition occurs when there is bleeding between the outer and inner layers of the brain covering. Subdural hemorrhage is not as common as it used to be, as there have been medical advancements made in the childbirth process.
• Intraventricular hemorrhage: This term describes bleeding in the normal fluid-filled spaces, also known as ventricles, in the brain. It affects the brain tissue.
  

Intracranial hemorrhage is the result of a blood vessel rupture within the skull. This frightening birth injury often results from inadequate blood flow to the brain or an insufficient amount of oxygen. Sometimes things just happen during the delivery process, but other times it is the mistakes made by the doctors, nurses and hospital that lead to life altering birth injuries.

If your baby has sustained a birth injury, such as intracranial hemorrhage, you may be able to hold the medical provider accountable and can pursue compensation. Contact the Louisville, Kentucky birth injury lawyers at Gray and White Law at (502) 637-6000 or (800) 637-6033 for legal advice.