In a previous entry, we shared shocking facts about medical errors being so common that they’re now the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
With this article, we’ll be telling you the equally shocking facts of the frequency of birth injuries. These findings are incredibly disturbing, not just because of their prevalence but for what life conditions (autism, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, seizures, etc.) they can lead to.
Birth Injury Numbers at a Glance
Numbers released by The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) tell us that for every 1,000 infants born in the U.S., about 6 – 8 of them experience a birth injury. By running the numbers, that translates to about 1 in every 9,174 people in this country being born with a birth injury.
Most Common Birth Injuries
Information provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed a list of the most commons types of birth injuries.
- Brachial palsy injuries – including Erb’s Palsy, Klumpke’s Palsy and Shoulder Dystocia
These types of injuries happen when nerves needed for moving arms and hands are injured. The most common cause stems from the infant’s shoulder being trapped in the mother’s pelvic bone during the delivery. - Brain injuries
Cerebral palsy and autism are the leading conditions that can stem from a brain-related injury. In many cases, such injuries occur when the brain’s oxygen flow is disrupted. - Injuries from Delivery
Birth injuries occurring during the actual delivery are quite common, and can result in broken bones, lacerations, and even skull fractures. Such injuries can be the result of medical personnel mishandling the infant, and the improper use of such tools like forceps or vacuum extractors.These types of injuries can also lead to the infant experiencing high blood pressure or hypertension.
Recognizing Signs of Birth Injury
With most birth injuries come a host of symptoms that are recognizable. Remember that the symptoms may also point to other health-related conditions in your child.
The most common symptoms of birth injury include:
- Arched back while crying
- Excessive drooling
- Sensitivity to light
- Nausea
- Seizures
The Fitzgerald Law Firm: Fighter for the Rights of Those Harmed by Others
We’ve been successfully handling birth injury cases for well over 40 years because fighting for the rights of those who’ve been harmed by others is our passion.
Our approach is to undertake an intense investigation of the medical history of our client’s child – including all records related to the pregnancy, labor delivery and postpartum. We also consult with pediatric neurologists and other skilled medical professionals for their insight.
If it’s determined that the birth injury could have been prevented, we aggressively fight to recover compensation from the responsible parties.
If your child experienced a birth injury or you think he/she has, get in touch with us here at The Fitzgerald Law Firm for a free consultation.
Our number is 800-323-9900.