Skilled Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Birth Injury Attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri
At The Gogel Law Firm, our St. Louis Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) birth injury lawyers know that when an infant’s blood flow is disrupted at the time of birth, it deprives the baby of oxygen, which can have devastating, lifelong consequences.
Unfortunately, HIE is often a preventable condition that results from a physician or another healthcare provider’s negligence, which may rise to the level of medical malpractice in Missouri.
Here is what new parents need to know about HIE in newborns, and how to pursue the medical provider that is responsible for both the child’s short- and long-term injuries and overall expenses.
What are the Most Common Causes of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)?
HIE is a type of birth injury that can occur when a baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen during childbirth.
There are many potential causes of HIE, which may include but are not limited to:
- Anesthesia errors
- Breech birth
- Excessive dosages of Pitocin or other labor-inducing drugs
- Failure to recognize signs of fetal distress
- High-risk pregnancy conditions
- Improper use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during delivery
- Placental abruption when the placenta separates from the uterine wall too early
- Prolapsed, compressed, or umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck
- Prolonged labor
- Rupture of the uterus
- Shoulder dystocia
Physicians and hospital staff have the responsibility to carefully monitor the health of both the mother and child, so they can react quickly should complications arise during the delivery process. When any part of the staff makes a medical mistake during prenatal care or childbirth that could lead to restricted oxygen flow to the infant, the mother may be eligible to pursue a medical malpractice claim in Missouri.
If you believe your doctor missed an opportunity to prevent HIE or acted negligently in a way that caused HIE, and your child suffered as a result, contact our skilled birth injury attorneys in St. Louis today for help.
What are the Most Common Signs and Symptoms of HIE in Infants?
When a mother gives birth, her and the child’s health are the focal points of their lives going forward — especially in the early months where complications can arise without notice.
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of HIE in infants may include, but are not limited to:
- Abnormal neonatal reflexes, including the inability to grasp onto your finger or failure to respond to loud noises
- Breathing problems and/or need for resuscitation at birth
- Difficulty nursing, including the infant’s inability to latch, suck, or swallow
- Discoloration of the baby’s skin
- Lack of muscle tone, or limpness
- Low APGAR scores, which are tests performed on a baby within one to five minutes after birth.
- Seizures within the first couple of days
HIE can lead to significant long-term effects in babies, which may include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
- Learning disabilities
- Motor impairment
- Neurodevelopmental delays
- Sensory processing disorders
- Vision and hearing impairments
The full impact of HIE on your baby may not be fully recognized for years, which is why it is important to partner with a skilled birth injury attorney in St. Louis today to help ensure your complete damages are outlined before seeking financial compensation during a medical malpractice claim in Missouri.
That is why we are here. Our dedicated HIE birth injury lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and options, so you can pursue the best outcome for your unique medical malpractice claim.
Contact Our HIE Birth Injury Lawyers in St. Louis, Missouri for Help Today
If your child has suffered a birth injury caused by HIE, our skilled medical malpractice lawyers in St. Louis at the Gogel Law Firm want to help you seek justice. Contact us today to review your case by calling (314) 370-8173 or online to schedule a free consultation.
