Maryland HIE Lawyer
Giving birth to a child is an exciting event for most parents. The labor and delivery process is an often stressful but magical experience.
Unfortunately, things can go wrong at any time. Childbirth is not always a happy experience. It is not a 100% safe event, as complications can occur at any time, putting both the baby and the mother at risk. One serious issue that can occur is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). HIE is a type of infant brain damage that occurs during childbirth. It happens when the baby’s brain is deprived of both blood and oxygen. This causes cells in the baby’s brain to die within minutes.
HIE is a rare event, occurring in just 3 out of every 1,000 births. However, when it does occur, it is often deadly. As many as 20% of babies with HIE will die within the first week. Those who survive suffer permanent brain damage, including physical and cognitive disabilities.
HIE can quickly turn a childbirth into a devastating situation. If your baby died from HIE, contact the Maryland HIE lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman to see how we can help you obtain compensation for your damages.
Causes of HIE
HIE typically occurs during labor and delivery when the following situations occur:
- Excessively low maternal blood pressure
- Umbilical cord complications
- Placental abruption
- Uterine rupture
HIE can also occur during pregnancy in these situations:
- Maternal infections
- Preeclampsia
- Placenta blood circulation issues
- Stroke
Symptoms of HIE
The symptoms of HIE will vary based on the degree of brain damage. They may include the following:
- Floppy or stiff muscles
- Excessing sleeping or crying
- Hyperalertness
- Irritability
- Feeding problems
- No reflexes
- Irregular breathing
- Limp body
- Dilated pupils
- Abnormal heart rate or blood pressure
- Difficulty grasping
- Seizures
- Organ dysfunction
- Vision problems
- Heart failure
Is There Treatment for HIE?
Unfortunately, once the damage has been done to the brain, it is permanent. There is no way to reverse it. Medications or surgery cannot fix it. Because HIE is a permanent injury, the only treatment options are to manage the effects. These may include medications and breathing tubes. Babies with HIE have severe brain damage and will often need lifelong accommodations and support.
The first several weeks of the baby’s life are the most important for a child with HIE. Effective monitoring and medical care may cause the baby’s prognosis to improve.
Contact Us Today
No parent wants to hear that their child has HIE. This medical condition rarely has positive outcomes. The child often dies or lives with brain damage.
The Maryland personal injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman have significant experience helping those injured by medical malpractice. We have gotten multi-million-dollar verdicts. If you or a loved one has been injured by birth injuries or other forms of medical negligence, see how we can help you. Schedule a free consultation today. Contact our Maryland office by calling 410-998-3600.
