Motor Disorders, Disabilities, and Motor Delays in Infants
When a baby is born, the risk of birth injury depends on many factors, including the skill of the doctor and nurses managing the labor and delivery along with any medical conditions the mother or baby may have. Motor disorders occurring during infancy are typically caused by a lack of oxygen to the baby near or during delivery. Such occurrences can cause the child to suffer lasting damage, such as cerebral palsy or developmental delays.
The Cause
When a baby is in the womb, oxygen travels from the mother to the fetus through blood vessels in the umbilical cord. If this connection is disrupted because of an injury or illness, then the baby might not receive adequate oxygenated blood to the brain.
Preventive measures to ensure the baby’s health during delivery typically include the use of a fetal heart rate monitor. An infant’s heart rate should be monitored closely during labor and delivery so fetal distress can be recognized in time to prevent a birth injury. If the baby’s heart rate drops, the medical team should immediately perform an emergency C-section in order to deliver the baby before brain damage occurs.
Ultrasound examinations during prenatal visits to the doctor are used monitor the baby’s overall health and to identify issues that could pose a danger to the fetus, such as problems with the uterus, placenta, amniotic fluid, or umbilical cord.
Brain bleeds also have the potential to cause motor disorders, and the risk for brain bleeds increases when medical instruments (forceps, vacuum extractors) are used during delivery. Labor-inducing drugs may also increase these risks.
Motor Disorders and Motor Delays
Motor disorders can occur when your doctor fails to recognize a threatening condition and/or fails to deliver the baby before brain damage happens. Examples of these motor disorders include cerebral palsy, spastic cerebral palsy, dyskinetic cerebral palsy, complications of HIE (Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy), epilepsy, other seizure disorders, and more. Each of these disorders is preventable with the proper medical intervention. It is a doctor’s responsibility to identify potential fetal distress during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. When a doctor or hospital staff is negligent and fails to deliver the baby soon enough, brain damage can occur – and that is medical malpractice.
Call Thurswell Law
If you believe a family member suffering from a motor disorder, such as cerebral palsy, has been the victim of a doctor’s or other medical professional’s negligence, you are not alone. At Thurswell Law we are experts in birth injury cases, and we can help you receive the monetary compensation you deserve.
There is no fee unless you collect money. Call for a free consultation at (248) 354-2222.
