When a newborn’s brain is deprived of oxygen for too long, it can seriously damage brain cells, which may cause an anoxic brain injury. These injuries can take place before, during, or after the birth, meaning proper monitoring throughout the pregnancy is critical.
Not all cases of anoxic injury can be prevented, but in many cases, the severity of the injury can be directly traced to how quickly symptoms or possible complications are noticed and treated.
Symptoms
The symptoms of an anoxic brain injury can range from mild to severe and may present shortly after birth or in the days following. When doctors notice these symptoms, they should act fast, as early detection is critical when dealing with possible anoxic brain injury.
- Trouble breathing or needing help to breathe
- Blue/gray skin color (a sign of poor oxygen levels)
- Weak cry
- Poor feeding or weak suck
- Extreme sleepiness (hard to wake) or poor responsiveness
- Unusual muscle tone ( floppy or unusually stiff)
- Abnormal reflexes
- Seizures or abnormal movements
- Irritability or unusual fussiness
What causes anoxic brain injury?
Anoxic brain injury occurs when the baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen or blood for a long enough time that it becomes damaged.
Although many symptoms can’t be seen until the baby is born, testing and monitoring throughout the pregnancy can help detect the risk of anoxic brain injury. Testing and monitoring may uncover concerns with possible placental dysfunction or events that could reduce blood flow to the baby.
During birth, complications can also trigger a drop in oxygen or blood levels, especially in emergency situations. Following the birth, it’s important that staff monitor for breathing problems, poor circulation, or other known issues that can cause oxygen deprivation or a drop in blood flow.
Delaying treatment by just a few minutes can make all the difference in how seriously damaged the brain becomes due to low oxygen levels.
Serious injuries caused by anoxic brain injury
Because anoxic brain injuries impact the brain cells, the injuries are often very serious and can require a lifetime of treatment or around-the-clock care.
Anoxic injuries are often linked to Hypoxic‑Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), which is a condition caused by too little oxygen and/or too little blood flow to the brain around birth. HIE is also known to cause cerebral palsy, periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), and seizures (epilepsy). While HIE is linked to anoxic brain injury, not all cases of anoxic brain injury are caused by HIE.
HIE can cause widespread brain damage, which may lead to permanent neurological impairment or even death. Long-term issues caused by HIE can make it hard for the child to learn, communicate, or perform everyday tasks required for living alone.
Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that can make it hard for a baby to walk, sit, or maintain balance. The child may have limited use of their arms and hands, which may affect their long-term ability to take care of themselves. Some children experience major problems with their muscles and joints.
Other complications caused by anoxic injuries include vision or hearing problems, difficulty with fine-motor skills, feeding issues, organ damage, developmental delays, and epilepsy.
How can medical malpractice make anoxic brain injuries worse?
Not all cases of anoxic brain injury are preventable. However, medical mistakes leading to anoxic brain injury can happen throughout the course of the pregnancy. Depending on when the error is made and how the staff responds, anoxic injuries can range in severity.
During labor and delivery, it’s crucial that abnormal heart rate patterns or signs of fetal distress are recognized quickly. When problems are identified, healthcare providers need to promptly respond by administering the appropriate treatment. Delays by staff when an emergency C-section is needed may also contribute to issues with oxygen or blood flow.
When there are complications during delivery, mismanagement can rapidly make them worse. This can include suspected issues with the umbilical cord or severe bleeding events.
In cases where resuscitation is necessary or the baby ends up in the care of the NICU, several errors can occur. During resuscitation, it’s important that the procedure isn’t delayed or inadequate. Failure to treat low-oxygen levels in a timely manner directly impacts how long the brain goes without enough oxygen, which may cause serious complications.
It’s also important that seizures are diagnosed and treated properly, as they are known to worsen oxygen delivery.
Anoxic brain injuries are among the most serious a newborn can experience. When a newborn is under-oxygenated, the risk of significant injury skyrockets. That’s why early recognition of low oxygen and blood flow levels is key and why staff must adhere to the standard of care for possible anoxic injuries.
If your newborn was diagnosed with an anoxic brain injury and you believe medical mistakes contributed to the issue, you need to contact Weisser Law today. Our dedicated team will review your medical and delivery records to ensure healthcare providers followed the proper steps and provided your newborn with the standard of care it deserves.
When your health and future are at risk, experience matters. Weisser Law fights relentlessly to restore our clients’ dignity while securing their future. Contact our expert legal team today so you can focus on recovery, and we’ll focus on accountability.