Damage that babies may sustain because of birth injuries

A baby's body is extremely sensitive and vulnerable at birth. Trauma during a birth accident to any area of the body, especially the head and neck, can have serious consequences and be extremely distressing for the baby and its parents. Read about what a birth injury is.

Many children sadly do have a bad birthing experience and problems resulting from medical negligence or complications during childbirth include cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, facial palsy, brachial plexus palsy, umbilical cord complications, fractures, brain damage, eye infections, scarring, hip dysplasia and neonatal hypoglycaemia.

Soft spots
Babies also often have 'soft spots' - areas on the top of the head where the bones of the skull haven't yet joined. The skull develops slowly in small pieces while the baby is still in the womb and looks like several bones that will eventually meet rather than just one bone.

Some bones do meet and fuse before the baby is born, whilst others do so after birth to allow room for the brain's speedy growth in the first year. There are often several soft spots at birth and these areas of the head are very sensitive. Forceful or incorrect use of forceps by the attending obstetrician can cause serious damage in these soft spots.

Complications arising during birth
Some of the most common complications of birth that can affect the welfare of a baby include:

Cerebral palsy: This condition affects body movement and muscle co-ordination and is caused by injury to the brain before, during or after birth. Around ten % of cerebral palsy cases are related to brain damage during childbirth. Read more about cerebral palsy

Erb's palsy: This is a brachial plexus injury which causes damage to the nerves which control muscles in the shoulder, arm or hand. Any or all of these muscles can be paralysed. Read more about Erb's palsy

Facial palsy: Also known as Bell's palsy, this condition paralyses one side of the face. The symptoms of Bell's palsy come on very quickly and can include numbness of the face, a dry mouth, difficulty speaking, loss of taste in the tongue, dryness or watering of affected eyes, dribbling when drinking or after cleaning teeth and ear pain.

Brachial plexus palsy: Brachial plexus palsy injuries are usually caused by traumatic stretching or tearing of the brachial plexus nerves during birth. This can result in Erb's Palsy or Klumke's Palsy.

Umbilical cord complications: A problem with the umbilical cord that causes distress or death of the baby. This may involve the cord being wrapped tightly around the baby's neck or the cord becoming compressed between the baby and the mother's pelvis, cutting off the baby's oxygen supply.

Fractures: A skull fracture is one devastating example of a birth injury and is a break in the bone that surrounds the brain. Another fracture that can also occur is a clavicle (collarbone) fracture. It's easy to feel the clavicle as unlike other bones covered with muscle, only skin covers a large part of the bone.

Brain damage: Brain damage and other neurological disorders occur when a baby doesn't get enough oxygen. This can happen when the umbilical cord gets wrapped around the baby's neck or if the baby loses a lot of blood.

Eye infections: Conjunctivitis can start soon after birth if infections occur as the newborn baby's body is extremely vulnerable and susceptible to germs.

Scarring: Scarring as a result of birth injuries and use of equipment by obstetricians is extremely common.

Hip dysplasia: Abnormal development and growth of the hip joint. Both hips are usually affected, but only one side may show symptoms. Arthritis is a long term consequence of untreated dysplasia. Two in 1000 babies born may have a hip that is dislocated at birth.

Neonatal hypoglaecemia: An abnormally low level of blood glucose (sugar) which can cause long-term neurological damage. Symptoms include respiratory distress, lethargy and thermoregulatory problems.

Skin irritations: Bruising and skin irritations are common, and can take the form of red spots and itchy patches which can aggravate the baby.

Claiming birth injury compensation
Anything that affects your baby because of a birth accident is extremely upsetting for everybody involved and can have serious long-term consequences for your child's health.

If your baby has been suffered a birth injury and has experienced one of the conditions mentioned above and you want to seek compensation, we can provide first-class legal advice and assistance.

Our personal injury solicitors are experts in medical negligence and have an excellent success rate in birth injury claims.

Call us now on 0800 10 757 95 to find out more about claiming birth accident compensation.