Phoenix personal injury lawyer

Birth Injuries in the United States

Birth injuries occur in about every seven of 100 babies born in the United States. These incidents happen because of illness during pregnancy, side effects of medication, delivery complications or negligence of hospital staff.

All details provided on behalf of the Phoenix personal injury lawyer firm of Goldberg & Osborne and are intended as a reference only.

A common birth injury is cerebral palsy, which is a condition where a baby suffers brain damage due to a lack of oxygen during delivery. Signs of cerebral palsy include weak muscles, poor motor skills and lack of balance. There is a higher incidence of cerebral palsy in breech and multiple births, where complications are frequent. 

Another issue that can occur during birth is shoulder dystocia, where the baby's shoulders are stuck in the uterine cavity. This may lead to an injury of the brachial plexus, which is a group of nerves that affect the arms. If the nerves are damaged, the result may be an arm that is weak or paralyzed. 

Other injuries during birth include asphyxia, broken bones and damage to the soft tissue. These problems are often caused by improper monitoring of the baby's vital signs during labor, or by too much force being applied during the delivery process. 

Birth defects may also occur due to the use of antidepressant medication during pregnancy. Studies have shown that drugs such as Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin and Celexa can cause heart problems or other defects in newborn babies.

Sometimes an expectant mother may become ill during pregnancy or may be of a very young age. These factors often lead to premature birth or a baby that is not of optimum weight. A baby born before 37 weeks can have underdeveloped lungs that may lead to further complications without proper care. 

There are some birth injuries which do not lead to long term health problems. Caput succedaneum is a soft tissue swelling of the baby's scalp that usually disappears on its own within a few days. Cephalohematoma presents as a bump on a newborn's head. It is caused by bleeding underneath cranial bones and is eventually rebsorbed by the body. Some babies suffer head bruising due to the birth process. This goes away soon after arrival.

Goldberg & Osborne, a medical malpractice law firm in Phoenix, AZ, makes this material available for the sole purpose of providing general information to the public. Goldberg & Osborne has not reviewed or edited its contents. As such, it should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a legal or medical professional.