What causes brain injuries at birth?

Posted in Birth Injuries, Firm News on April 25, 2017

A newborn baby is a great joy, but when something goes wrong during the delivery, it can be devastating. You may wonder how infants suffer from brain injuries during birth in Washington. While these problems are actually quite rare, they can still happen, so here is a look at some causes of brain injuries in newborns.

According to Merck Manual, many injuries to the head during labor are quite natural and heal quickly without any lasting effects. However, brain injuries are always considered serious. They are generally a result of the natural birthing process because the head is the first thing to move through and come out of the birth canal. As such, it is under a lot of pressure. It is designed to withstand this, though. Troubles occur if the head gets caught or if it is not moving through the canal like it should. Such issues could result in bleeding in the brain or skull fractures. Bleeding is often more severe because it can lead to a lack of oxygen in the brain, which then leads to more serious brain injuries.

Another issue that may occur during birth is a restriction of oxygen. This is called perinatal asphyxia. It can lead to brain damage because the brain does not get the blood and oxygen it needs to function properly. It can cause a baby to have seizures or even put him or her into a coma. Common causes of this condition include clots or pressure on the umbilical cord, infections, exposure to drugs and genetic abnormalities. This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.