Fetal Stroke
A fetal stroke, also known as a perinatal stroke, occurs between 14 weeks gestation and delivery. An antenatal ischemic stroke (which refers to a blockage) or a hemorrhagic (bleeding) injury often results in a catastrophic outcome for the child.
Ischemic strokes can be venous (cerebral venous thrombosis) or arterial (arterial ischemic stroke) and are categorized by blood clotting to form a blockage that interrupts normal blood flow to certain regions of the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke, or intracranial hemorrhage, occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by bleeding.
Infants and unborn babies do suffer strokes. In fact, stroke is one of the top 10 causes of pediatric death. Sixty percent of children who survive stroke can be left with permanent neurological deficits or long-term disabilities. When it comes to fetal or perinatal stroke, symptoms often do not appear until the child reaches four to eight months of age, when weakness or decreased movement on one side of the body becomes apparent.
Causes of Fetal and Newborn Strokes
The cause of most perinatal strokes is unknown, but there are significant risk factors that should prompt your doctor to take extra precautions. These include birth asphyxia or HIE (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, premature rupture of membranes, preeclampsia, trauma, placental abruption, gestational diabetes, fetal infection, and other maternal and fetal conditions.
When there is any suspicion of fetal stroke, quick recognition and proper response are necessary to reduce the possibility of permanent injury. It is the responsibility of your medical team to monitor your newborn and quickly analyze suspicious lab results, unusual behavior, or lack of response to stimulus.
If stroke is suspected, your doctor should make sure that the proper tests are completed and evaluated by a qualified neurologist or other pediatric specialist. These tests may include blood tests, a MRI, CT scan, lumbar puncture, and cranial ultrasound. Once diagnosed, appropriate management of fetal stroke is vital to ensure the best possible outcome for your child.
Recognition and Treatment of Fetal Stroke
The symptoms of fetal stroke may not be observed until months or even years after the event. Sometimes the child develops normally but at a much slower rate than other children. But many children who experience perinatal stroke will have developmental disabilities. A baby who suffers a more serious stroke may exhibit symptoms such as seizures, early preference of one hand over the other, problems feeding, difficulty breathing, or apnea (long pauses between breaths).
It is critical to immediately evaluate an infant who’s at a high risk of stroke or who may be exhibiting suspicious behavior. If a stroke has occurred, immediate treatment and subsequent rehabilitation will reduce the possibility of another stroke and further brain injury or death. Treatment may include IV fluids or blood thinners to help restore blood flow, hypothermia treatment to reduce neurological damage, and anti-seizure medication.
Responsibilities of the Doctor
Medical professionals are trained to recognize symptoms and acknowledge risk factors so that appropriate response and care can be administered. When something out of the ordinary occurs, they are expected to use the knowledge and tools at their disposal to help ensure a positive outcome.
If you feel that your infant did not receive proper evaluation or timely treatment, and that your child now suffers from the results of a doctor’s or hospital staff member’s negligence, then you have a right to seek monetary compensation. It is essential to protect the financial future of your family and make sure you have the resources available to provide the very best care for your child.
We Can Help
Because medical issues can be complicated and technical language is difficult to understand, you may be unsure how to proceed with a birth injury case. It is important to seek the professional advice of the knowledgeable legal professionals at Thurswell Law. We know the ins and outs of Michigan birth injury law, and our highly qualified team is here to help.
If your child has suffered due to the negligence of a medical professional and you are unsure of how to proceed, call us today for your free consultation at 248-354-2222. No fee unless you collect.
