Neonatal care has come a long, long way in the last several decades. Numerous environmental changes, various new technologies, innovative medications and treatments have revolutionized today’s neonatal intensive care units, leading to far better patient outcomes. However, one continuing medical issue for preterm infants is hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). If your baby is dealing with this issue, our Orlando hypoxic encephalopathy lawyer is here to help you learn about your rights and options under the law.

HIE is a serious neurological condition characterized by brain injury resulting from oxygen deprivation and inadequate blood flow to the brain. This condition typically occurs during childbirth, though it can also happen before or shortly after birth. HIE can lead to long-term neurological impairments, including developmental delays, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and cognitive deficits. 

HIE often occurs during labor and delivery when there is a disruption in the flow of oxygenated blood to the baby’s brain. This interruption can happen due to various reasons, including:

• Placental Insufficiency: Inadequate blood flow through the placenta, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
• Umbilical Cord Problems: Compression or entanglement of the umbilical cord can restrict blood flow.
• Maternal Hypotension: A drop in the mother’s blood pressure can reduce blood flow to the placenta and, consequently, to the baby.
• Prolonged Labor or Delivery Complications: Conditions such as uterine rupture or placental abruption can lead to prolonged labor, increasing the risk of oxygen deprivation.
• Poor monitoring of the mother and baby during labor or immediate post-delivery timeframe
• Delayed delivery

The symptoms of HIE can vary widely depending on the severity of the brain injury. In mild cases, the baby may only experience subtle signs, while severe cases can result in profound neurological impairment. Common symptoms include:

• Altered Level of Consciousness: The baby may appear lethargic, unresponsive, or excessively sleepy.
• Seizures: Jerking movements, staring spells, or repetitive movements may indicate seizures.
• Difficulty Breathing or Respiratory Distress: Rapid breathing, grunting, or bluish discoloration of the skin may occur.
• Poor Muscle Tone or Weakness: The baby may exhibit floppy limbs or difficulty moving.
• Feeding Difficulties: Weak suck, poor feeding, or difficulty swallowing may be present.

Diagnosing HIE typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, medical history review, and diagnostic tests. Healthcare providers may assess the baby’s symptoms, perform neurological examinations, and consider the circumstances surrounding labor and delivery. Diagnostic tests may include:

• Brain Imaging: Imaging studies such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scans can reveal signs of brain injury.
• Electroencephalography (EEG): EEG measures brain activity and can detect abnormal patterns indicating seizures or brain dysfunction.
• Blood Tests: Blood tests may be conducted to evaluate oxygen levels, acid-base balance, and markers of brain injury.

The Importance of Early Intervention 

Our Orlando hypoxic encephalopathy lawyer knows that early intervention is crucial in managing HIE and minimizing long-term complications. Treatment strategies aim to restore oxygen delivery to the brain, prevent further injury, and provide supportive care. Preventing HIE requires a multidisciplinary approach involving obstetricians, neonatologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Strategies to reduce the risk of HIE include prenatal care, fetal monitoring, and prompt delivery.

Could Medical Malpractice Be Involved?

Obstetric negligence can contribute to HIE if healthcare providers fail to properly monitor the mother and baby during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, or if they do not promptly respond to signs of distress or complications. For instance, if a doctor fails to recognize fetal distress during labor, it could lead to oxygen deprivation and HIE in the newborn. While injuries such as HIE could be caused by natural and unavoidable consequences of childbirth, in today’s age of modern medicine that is simply less likely.  It is unfortunately true that a newborn diagnosed with HIE could also be the victim of medical malpractice.

Contact an Orlando Hypoxic Encephalopathy Lawyer

If you believe that your doctor’s negligence may have led to birth injury, contact Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm for a free and confidential consultation. We have many years of experience helping our clients with cases involving birth injury medical malpractice and understand exactly how this type of medical negligence can significantly impact you and your family.