You know something is wrong, but you don’t yet know what is causing your baby’s symptoms. In order for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan to be developed, it is important to report all of your baby’s symptoms to your baby’s doctor.
Symptoms of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a brain injury that is caused by oxygen deprivation during delivery. HIE affects babies in different ways depending on factors such as the amount of time the baby was deprived of oxygen and the treatment the baby received immediately after delivery.
Some babies with HIE may experience the following shortly after birth:
- Low APGAR scores
- Difficulty breathing independently
- Seizures
- Low heart rate
- Difficulty feeding
- Low muscle tone or limpness
- Problems with the lungs, liver, heart or other internal organs
As your baby grows, additional signs of HIE may include a delay in achieving developmental milestones, delayed growth, and other physical impairments. These symptoms may be signs of HIE or another medical condition. Your child’s doctor will review your child’s symptoms and birth records and order diagnostic tests in order to determine whether or not your child suffered from HIE.
HIE May Be a Birth Injury
In many cases, HIE is preventable. Your baby may have been hurt by a doctor, nurse, or hospital that failed to diagnose a potential problem, failed to treat that problem, or failed to use reasonable care during delivery.
As your child’s parent and advocate, it is important to take action to protect your child’s rights. This includes speaking with an experienced birth injury lawyer about your child’s legal options. You may be able to pursue a birth injury lawsuit and help your child recover damages for her past and future medical needs, physical pain, emotional suffering, and the other losses she suffered due to her 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.