Skull fractures are a particularly serious injury to newborns that can have serious long-term consequences for victims. While some fractures heal on their own, when the injury affects the brain, it can cause permanent injuries.
Many of the injuries caused by a skull fracture involve bleeding, swelling, or damage to brain tissue, which are a result of birth trauma. The severity of the injury largely depends on whether there is intracranial bleeding, how quickly the baby is evaluated, and whether the injury caused oxygen deprivation or pressure on the brain.
Symptoms of skull fracture in newborns
The warning signs of a skull fracture can range from mild to severe, depending on the location of the fracture. Many of the symptoms point to bleeding, pressure on the brain, or other serious complications.
Symptoms include:
- A dent, soft spot, or unusual shape of the skull.
- Swelling or bruising on the head.
- Seizures or shaking movements.
- Trouble breathing or pauses in breathing (apnea).
- Poor feeding or weak sucking.
- Extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking.
- Irritability or constant crying.
- Low muscle tone (floppy or weak body).
- Vomiting or repeated spit-up with other symptoms.
- A bulging soft spot (fontanelle).
Injuries caused by a skull fracture in newborns
While serious on its own, the fracture itself is only part of the problem. The more dangerous issues involve what has happened underneath the fracture. If blood vessels tear, it can cause bleeding around the brain, including multiple types of hemorrhage.
A fracture can also bruise the brain ot trigger swelling that will then raise pressure inside the skull. That pressure can interfere with blood flow and oxygen delivery, both of which increase the risk of permanent neurological injuries.
Complications caused by skull fracture include motor problems, long-term cognitive or neurologic impairment, seizures, feeding issues, developmental delays, and hydrocephalus after bleeding. The precise outcome depends on the severity of the trauma, the location of the bleeding or fracture, and how fast the baby receives imaging, monitoring, and treatment.
How Medical Malpractice Can Contribute
A skull fracture can happen during any birth and isn’t always caused by malpractice. However, when healthcare providers fail to meet the accepted standard of care, it can certainly be considered malpractice.
For skull fractures, which can include:
- Using forceps or vacuum devices incorrectly.
- Using too much force during delivery.
- Failing to recognize a difficult or stalled labor.
- Waiting too long to perform a necessary C-section.
- Ignoring signs of fetal distress.
- Failing to monitor the baby properly after birth.
- Delaying diagnosis of a head or brain injury.
While those mistakes are not automatic proof of malpractice, they are the kinds of breakdowns in care that often need close legal and medical review. Contacting the team at Weisser Law is the best step you can take to ensure those records are reviewed correctly to determine whether malpractice was committed.
Skull Fracture with Brain Injury in Newborns FAQs
How serious is a skull fracture with brain injury in a newborn?
The severity varies by case, but make no mistake, it can be extremely serious. Bleeding around the brain, swelling, direct brain damage, and seizures can all cause permanent disability. Skull fractures in newborns can sometimes come with bleeding or other injuries inside the baby’s brain, making it more dangerous than a fracture alone.
The biggest factors are if there is bleeding, whether the brain is deprived of blood flow or oxygen, and how quickly the problem is diagnosed and treated.
Can a skull fracture happen during a normal delivery without malpractice?
Yes. Several factors can cause a skull fracture that has nothing to do with the healthcare provider’s actions. Pressure on the baby’s head during pregnancy or delivery can cause a fracture, even if no tools are used during delivery.
Regardless, any skull fracture should be reviewed closely to determine what happened during labor, delivery decisions made, fetal monitoring, and post-birth care. Examining these steps can reveal negligence if providers mishandled a difficult delivery or missed clear warning signs.
How do doctors diagnose a skull fracture and brain injury in a newborn?
First, the doctor will conduct a physical exam of the newborn to look for signs such as a skull dent, seizures, difficulty responding, or swelling. Imaging tests may be ordered to get a better view of the brain and skull and to better understand the injury. This can include ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans, depending on the baby’s condition and the doctors’ assessment of the cause.
What should parents do if they suspect the injury was caused by medical malpractice?
The first and most important step is to focus on the baby’s medical care. Be sure to follow all the doctor’s recommendations during treatment.
From there, you should request copies of all medical records, including labor and delivery notes, fetal monitoring records, NICU records, and imaging. If possible, record the timeline of events as soon as you can. These types of cases are complex, and medical experts will need to review the file to determine where the accepted standard of care was breached.
It’s important to act quickly because records can be hard to get, and legal deadlines may apply.
Why should parents contact Weisser Law if they suspect a newborn skull fracture was caused by medical malpractice?
If your baby suffered a skull fracture with a possible brain injury, the experts at Weisser Law are here to help. We will review your records and consult with medical experts about the decisions made during delivery. We will answer your questions and give you a clear answer on whether the injury could have been prevented.
Weisser Law will help your family understand the short- and long-term impacts on your baby and how they may affect your baby’s future needs. That means fighting for damages based on the current and future needs of your child and the medical care they need.
Our team will fight tirelessly to ensure your family is compensated for not just the injury but for any long-term care, therapy, and medical needs your child may require for their life. Weisser Law offers free consultations and works on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay until we win.