Birth Injuries Caused by Oxygen Deprivation

The birth of a child is supposed to be a joyous occasion, but it can quickly become a nightmare if there is a birth injury or any risk of harm to the baby. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who deliver babies must be prudent and attentive to every detail of this process. One of the most important jobs medical professionals have during a delivery is ensuring that the baby has an adequate supply of oxygen throughout the delivery.

If your child suffered a placental abruption or umbilical cord compression, resulting in oxygen deprivation, the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen, Personal Injury Lawyers, can guide you. We are dedicated to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable for the harms they’ve caused and know what it takes to effectively bring a birth injury case against even the largest, most well-funded healthcare systems and hospitals.

Birth injuries caused by oxygen deprivation, also known as birth asphyxia, can occur when a newborn does not receive sufficient oxygen before, during, or immediately after delivery. This deprivation can lead to brain damage, physical disabilities, or other long-term health issues. Oxygen deprivation injuries are often linked to complications such as umbilical cord prolapse, placental abruption, or maternal blood pressure abnormalities that impact the flow of oxygen to the baby.

One common cause is umbilical cord issues, such as umbilical cord compression or a tight cord wrap around the baby’s neck, which can limit oxygen delivery. Additionally, prolonged labor or a breech birth can put excessive stress on the baby, restricting blood and oxygen flow. Certain maternal conditions, like preeclampsia, can also contribute to inadequate oxygen levels by impacting the placenta's ability to supply oxygen to the fetus.

Another common source of oxygen deprivation during childbirth is a placental abruption. A placental abruption occurs when the placenta pulls away from the uterine wall before the delivery of a baby, which can be dangerous for both the mother and child. The mother can hemorrhage and lose excessive blood. For the child, this condition can cause fetal distress and lack of oxygen, which can ultimately lead to brain damage and even death. A placental abruption is a medical emergency that requires immediate delivery, usually in the form of a Cesarean section. Failing to promptly conduct a Caesarean section can cause permanent harm to a child.

In the delivery room, medical staff play a crucial role in monitoring the baby’s heart rate and other vital signs. Failure to promptly address any signs of distress or oxygen deprivation can worsen the injury's severity. Preventive measures, like regular prenatal care and effective monitoring during labor, are essential to minimize the risk of birth injuries associated with oxygen deprivation. If signs of oxygen deprivation are evident, quick action, such as an emergency cesarean section, can often prevent or reduce the impact of birth asphyxia. If a doctor failed to correctly diagnose or treat a placental abruption or umbilical cord compression, it may mean that the physician was negligent.

Oxygen deprivation during labor and delivery can lead to several severe and long-lasting conditions, impacting a child’s physical and cognitive development. One of the most common and serious conditions is Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), a type of brain injury caused by reduced oxygen and blood flow to the brain. HIE can result in developmental delays, motor dysfunction, and in severe cases, it may cause lifelong disabilities like cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy affects muscle coordination and movement, often requiring long-term physical therapy and support.

Another condition related to oxygen deprivation is seizure disorders. When the brain experiences oxygen deprivation, neurons can become damaged, leading to abnormal electrical activity and seizures. Some infants may experience immediate seizures after birth, while others may develop epilepsy later in life due to the initial injury.

Organ damage is also a significant risk. Multisystem organ failure can occur because of oxygen deprivation, particularly impacting the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Since these organs rely on a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood, interruptions during birth can lead to functional impairments, often requiring medical intervention and monitoring throughout infancy.

Additionally, cognitive and behavioral issues may arise from oxygen deprivation. For example, intellectual disabilities, learning delays, and challenges with attention and behavior are common among children who experience oxygen deprivation at birth. These conditions may require early intervention and ongoing educational support to help children reach developmental milestones and achieve their potential.

When a healthcare professional’s negligence results in a birth injury, the baby’s family may be able to bring a birth injury lawsuit against the treating physician, the hospital or birthing center, as well as any other medical workers whose negligence contributed to their child’s injury. Birth injury cases are based on the legal theory of medical negligence. To establish that a healthcare provider was negligent in the context of a birth injury claim, parents must establish the following elements:

1. Duty – The treating healthcare professional owed a duty of care to the patient;
2. Breach – The healthcare professional breached this duty by violating the accepted standard of care;
3. Causation – The baby suffered harm as a direct result of the doctor’s breach; and
4. Damages – The family suffered quantifiable damages, which may be economic, non-economic, or a combination of the two.

At Lebowitz & Mzhen, Personal Injury Lawyers, our Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys have helped countless families pursue the compensation that they deserve for what they’ve been through. We are immediately available to review the facts of your case and advocate aggressively for you in settlement negotiations or at trial. Our birth injury attorneys represent families throughout Maryland and the Washington, D.C. area, including in Baltimore City, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Rockville, Germantown, Bethesda, Upper Marlboro, Hyattsville, Bowie, Silver Spring, Towson, Columbia, Takoma Park, and other communities throughout Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince George's, and Carroll Counties. Call us at (800) 654-1949 or at (410) 654-3600, or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.