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Recognizing signs of birth injury in newborns

On Behalf of | Jan 31, 2025 | Birth Injuries

Birth injuries occur when a newborn suffers harm during the birthing process. These injuries can range from mild to severe and may affect the baby’s physical or neurological development. Understanding the signs of a birth injury is crucial for early intervention and treatment, which can improve outcomes for affected infants.

1. Abnormal muscle tone

Newborns with birth injuries often display abnormal muscle tone. This may present as either floppy limbs or unusually stiff muscles. Parents should observe their baby’s movements and consult a pediatrician if they notice any irregularities, as these could indicate underlying neurological issues resulting from birth trauma.

2. Difficulty feeding

Feeding difficulties can signal a birth injury. Newborns may struggle to latch onto the breast or bottle, exhibit weak sucking, or tire quickly during feeding. Such challenges can result from nerve damage or other complications affecting the baby’s ability to feed effectively. Prompt medical evaluation can help identify and address the root cause.

3. Unusual crying patterns

Excessive, high-pitched, or inconsolable crying may indicate a birth injury. While crying is normal for newborns, persistent or unusual patterns can suggest pain or discomfort. This behavior warrants further investigation to rule out conditions.

4. Seizures

Seizures in newborns can be a serious sign of a birth injury. These may manifest as subtle twitching, jerking movements or periods of unresponsiveness. Seizures require immediate medical attention to determine their cause and initiate appropriate treatment.

Is it due to negligence?

If you suspect that a birth injury resulted from hospital or doctor negligence, act promptly. Document your observations and gather evidence, such as medical records and expert testimony, to establish negligence.

Proving negligence involves demonstrating that the medical provider failed to meet the standard of care, directly leading to the injury. If you have a loved one suffering from a birth injury, you may want to seek help from a legal professional to understand your rights and options for pursuing compensation and justice for your child.

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