Study Finds Babies With Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries Have a Higher Rate of Mental Health Issues as Teens

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sad teen looking out windowAfter your baby is born and diagnosed with a brachial plexus birth injury, your child’s mental health as a teenager may not be the first thing you think about. Instead, if your baby has suffered an injury to the network of nerves found between the neck and the shoulder, known as the brachial plexus, your immediate concerns may be about getting your child the necessary medical treatment to manage his pain and increase his mobility. You are, indeed, thinking about the right things.

But You Should Also Think About Your Child’s Future Mental Health

In March 2018, researchers published the results of a large study that found babies who suffered brachial plexus injuries at birth were more likely to have psychological conditions as teenagers. The study looked at all children who were born to parents in Sweden between 1987 and 1993 and who were still alive and living in Sweden in 2008. 1,587 of these children had suffered a brachial plexus birth injury. These children were compared with their peers who did not suffer brachial plexus birth injuries, and researchers found that the children who did suffer the birth injury were more likely to suffer from mental health issues as adolescents as evidenced by their need for prescription psychotropic medications. The increased risk was present in different socioeconomic groups and for boys and girls.

Protect Your Child After a Brachial Plexus Birth Injury

It is impossible to know now whether your child will suffer from mental health issues later. However, since the research suggests that there may be a connection between a brachial plexus injury at birth and mental health issues as a teenager it is important to be aware of the risk and to take action if you see your teenager suffering.

Additionally, it is important to protect your child’s rights as soon as possible after birth. An experienced birth injury lawyer can help you understand your child’s rights and take action to protect your child’s recovery for past, current, and future issues that may arise from a brachial plexus birth injury. 

Has Your Family Been Impacted By A Birth Injury?

If your family has been impacted by a birth injury you need to speak with an experienced birth injury attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our office directly at 888.450.4456 to schedule a free consultation.