Brachial Plexus Birth Injury May Lead To Lifelong Symptoms
Having a child is one of the most rewarding moments in the lives of many men and women. Bringing a baby into this world is supposed to be a joyous and happy time, yet out of every 1,000 infants born in the United States, six to eight of them are born with a birth injury. In our ever-innovating society, we have the tools and resources to deliver babies safely and successfully. However, due to reasons such as negligence, time restraints, or lack of communication, preventable birth injuries still occur in the United States.
Birth injuries can manifest themselves with a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, with many of them leaving lasting effects on your infant’s health. According to a new study, brachial plexus birth injury may affect your child’s mental health later in life.
What Is a Brachial Plexus Birth Injury?
Brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) is damage to the group of nerve fibers that run from the spine to the neck and through the arms. The most common cause of a brachial plexus injury is excessive stretching and force during labor and delivery, often the result of a doctor using a vacuum or forceps to pull the baby out of the birth canal.
Causes of Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries
While not all brachial plexus birth injuries are preventable - other causes include large birth weight and size, a breech delivery, and underdeveloped muscles in the infant’s neck - a good portion of brachial plexus injuries are caused by the selection and management of treatments by the physician, according to studies by the Doctor’s Company, the largest malpractice insurance provider owned by physicians.
In other words, doctors either fail to choose the correct treatment for patients and their infants, or they perform those treatments incorrectly. A common example of one of the causes of brachial plexus is the physician's failure to assess the baby’s size and determine whether vaginal delivery is the best option.
Recent Findings
Researchers from Lund University in Sweden looked at data from more than 600,000 Swedish children and found that almost 1,600 of those children suffered a brachial plexus birth injury. Those children were much more likely to use medications to treat mental health issues than children who did not have a BPBI.
Contact an Aurora Birth Injury Lawyer
All infants and their mothers deserve access to correct treatments and a safe birth. If you feel that your infant suffered an injury due to the negligence of your doctor in, an experienced Kane County medical malpractice attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 630-907-0909 to schedule a free consultation with the attorneys at Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C.
Sources:
https://www.birthinjuryguide.org/brachial-plexus-injury/
https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/03/23/nerve-related-birth-injury-tied-to-greater-risk-for-poor-mental-health-in-teens/134033.html
https://safebirthproject.com/safe-delivery-avoid-birth-injuries/
