New guidelines aim to curb brain-related birth injuries

Wednesday April 16, 2014

Many residents of New Haven, Connecticut, know that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. That is the reason why many expectant parents choose to give birth under the supervision of medical professionals. Unfortunately, childbirth poses many risks to the well-being of the child and the mother.

To prevent brain damage in newborn babies, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have released the updated guidelines on neonatal encephalopathy, including assessing every possible factor that leads to the development of the newborn’s brain disorder or injury.

In 2003, recommendations focused on determining whether birth asphyxia — the lack of oxygen during at birth — caused brain injury, but several factors can lead to the newborn baby’s brain injury, which can occur even before a pregnant patient arrives at the hospital or the delivery room. However, brain damage can also likely occur during labor and delivery. The recent release advises doctors to consider other possible causes of neonatal brain trauma, including problems with the placenta, issues during birth and the mother’s medical history.

The initiative aims to curb preventable brain-related birth injuries in the future. The release provides a guide on evaluating babies who appear encephalopathic at birth, identify safety issues and administer any corrective measures. The guidelines also include advancement in treating brain injury in newborn babies, including neonatal hypothermia treatment and newborn brain imaging.

Birth injury can also occur because of doctor or hospital negligence. Unfortunately, birth trauma can have a long-lasting impact on the child’s health and the family’s finances because of substantial medical costs and funeral expenses if the baby dies. The baby’s family may seek compensation from the negligent hospital or health care provider by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Source: The Inquirer, “Spotting Cause of Newborn Brain Injury Could Aid Prevention, Report Says,” April 3, 2014

Get in Touch

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation

At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C., we handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless and until you receive a settlement or a jury award.

Schedule a free, confidential consultation with a skilled Connecticut personal injury lawyer today.

News & insights
KJSR Recognized as Best Personal Injury Firm in CT - 2024
News

KJSR Recognized as Best Personal Injury Firm in CT - 2024

8

February
2024

Can You File a Claim for Injuries Suffered After a Failure-to-Yield Car Accident?
Articles

Can You File a Claim for Injuries Suffered After a Failure-to-Yield Car Accident?

7

December
2023

What Happens if You Fall at Work? (and What to Do Next)
Articles

What Happens if You Fall at Work? (and What to Do Next)

7

December
2023

4 Steps to Take After a Medical Misdiagnosis
Articles

4 Steps to Take After a Medical Misdiagnosis

15

November
2023

News

KJSR Recognized in 2024 edition of Best Law Firms in America®

2

November
2023

Will a Hit-and-Run Claim Raise My Insurance?
Articles

Will a Hit-and-Run Claim Raise My Insurance?

12

October
2023

Surgical Stapler Injuries: Can You File a Lawsuit?
Articles

Surgical Stapler Injuries: Can You File a Lawsuit?

9

October
2023

Everything You Need to Know Before Filing a Pharmaceutical Lawsuit
Insights

Everything You Need to Know Before Filing a Pharmaceutical Lawsuit

21

September
2023

What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Deceased After the Accident?
Articles

What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Deceased After the Accident?

18

September
2023

What To Do After a Road Construction Accident
Articles

What To Do After a Road Construction Accident

12

September
2023