One of the leading causes of Cerebral palsy is when an infant experiences oxygen deprivation during the delivery process. Labor and delivery is a crucial time and if there is even a short period of time when the baby is not receiving an ample supply of oxygen to the brain, or the air is restricted, then they could have end up having an irreversible brain injury. This is why it is absolutely vital to make sure that the baby's air way is not constricted as it is coming out of the birthing canal. An example of this would be if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby's neck and it is not receiving sufficient air to the brain. Prolonged oxygen deficiency can also lead to what is called hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy or HIE- this is a severe condition that can also lead to cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy can unfortunately develop for a number of different reasons, the most common being a result of some sort of birth injury. Many reports show however, that a large number of birth injuries can be prevented by doctors who keep a close eye and carefully monitor the mother and the child throughout the pregnancy. In most cases, the condition comes about as a result of doctor or hospital negligence, when it could have been prevented. Cerebral palsy can develop if doctors fail to properly respond to fetal distress or if they fail to treat an infant who is having seizures. Doctors should always be prepared for any circumstance that can come along during labor and delivery and actively prevent any complication that could lead to a brain injury during childbirth.
If your baby has cerebral palsy and a doctor is at fault, you should not hesitate to take legal action against them. Contact an Atlanta medical malpractice attorney from our firm today if you have a child who is living with cerebral palsy and see if you have a case.