Infant Palsy & Birth Injuries

Cerebral Palsy refers to a condition in which an infant’s central nervous system and brain are damaged. Several factors may lead to this condition such as post birth problems such as subconjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding of the eye), asphyxia or neonatal stroke, birth injuries or pregnancy complications. Symptoms may range from mild to severe.

Kinds of Cerebral Palsy

Brachial Plexus Paralysis is a kind of birth injury that leads to loss of movement in the arms. If a child develops complete paralysis, called Complete Plexus Paralysis, the whole arm of an infant is paralyzed. About one in a thousand birth results in this kind of injury.

There are two kinds of Brachial Plexus Paralysis:

• Klumpke’s Palsy

An infant’s wrists and fingers become very weak in this condition. There is no specific treatment to heal this condition, however a doctor may prescribe surgery or physical therapy in the cases where serious nerve damage or injury occurs.

• Erb’s Palsy

It is a condition involving paralysis of the shoulder muscles and upper arm. Normal movement of hand including lifting hands above head or gripping becomes impossible or difficult. If a baby is large at the time of birth or if a mother has small pelvis, it increases the risk of developing Erb’s Palsy. Other factors such as excessive weight gain by pregnant women or gestational diabetes also increases the risk of developing Erb’s palsy.

Kind of birth Injuries that may lead to Palsy in Infants

There are various types of birth defects or birth injuries contributing to the development of infant palsy. Brachial palsy results from san injury in the brachial plexus, a cluster of nerves controlling the movements of the hands and arm. This damage usually occurs when a mother faces trouble while delivering the baby’s shoulder. This condition is called dystocia. If the nerve is torn then it may lead to permanent damage, which may affect the baby’s ability to move his arm. One of the possible treatments for this condition is Physical therapy.

Caput succedaneum is a condition, which occurs when the tissues in the scalp of the baby bruise or swell while the baby travels through the birth canal. When delivered through vacuum extraction, a baby experiences Caput. In normal cases, the bruising or swelling disappears few days or weeks after birth.

Another form of injury includes forceps marks or lacerations. When gynecologists use forceps during delivery, it may leave temporary marks or cuts on the baby’s face or head. Babies delivered through vacuum extraction are more prone to these kinds of injuries.

Cephalohematoma is a condition in which bleeding occurs under the skull of the baby. Usually, a bump appears after the birth of baby and will disappear itself between three weeks to three months after birth. In normal cases, the body of the baby reabsorbs the blood.

Who is responsible for birth defects?

Infant brain injury is an outcome of the birth process. There is no way in which you can avoid accidental injuries during delivery. However, it is advisable for parents to avoid birth damages or injuries from medical malpractice. Birth injury attorney will help you determine whether you are eligible for filing a lawsuit in the cases of infant birth injuries. It is important for parents to learn about basic birth injury information and possible complications of giving birth.

As there are soma my factors that can cause injury ore ill health to an infant, mothers should take precautions after and during the pregnancy. Although, birth injuries or defects, or miscarriage occurs even when pregnant women follows her doctor’s instruction carefully, still, the pregnant women should make every effort to protect her pregnancy from various harmful substances such as alcohol or drugs. If would be mother experiences serious illness during her pregnancy, she should take complete bed rest until the illness passes.