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Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

The birth of a child should be an exciting event, but for many parents, it brings anxiety and heartbreak. When doctors, nurses and hospitals fail to provide the necessary care for an expecting mother and unborn child, serious birth injuries can occur. There are many types of birth injuries, including hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is defined as an injury caused by lack of oxygen to the brain. It is an injury where the cells in the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, are damaged because of inadequate oxygen. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is most commonly seen in infants and can lead to a serious life-altering condition and even death. Developmental delay, mental retardation and cerebral palsy have all been associated with the birth injury, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

What Causes Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy?
The term, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, is used to describe any injury that occurs as a result of low oxygen. It can occur when an adequate supply of blood is unable to reach the brain, therefore depriving the brain of needed oxygen. When there is a lack of oxygen to the brain, significant damage can be done to the brain tissue.

During the labor and delivery process, there are many factors that can lead to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Some of these factors include the following:

• Prolonged birth
• Delayed C-Section
• Too long in birth canal
• Prolapsed umbilical cord
• Fetal heartbeat misread or misinterpreted
• Doctor didn’t act in a timely manner

Any of these events can cause asphyxia or hypoxia, which are two types of oxygen depravation. Generally, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy can be quickly identified following the infant’s birth. If the infant experiences loss of brainstem signs, loss of deep tendon reflexes or seizures, or if the infant appears to be in a coma, the child may have suffered hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

Treatment of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy depends on the severity of damage to the infant’s brain. CPR is usually administered immediately to return oxygen flow to the brain. The following treatments may also be rendered to the infant:

• Life-sustaining treatment when brain function has stopped
• Mechanical ventilation to sustain breathing
• Treatment to maintain heart function and control blood pressure
• Medications and general anesthesia to control seizures
• Cooling blankets to reduce the body's temperature

If your baby has been injured during birth, as the result of hospital or doctor negligence, contact the Massachusetts birth injury attorneys at Kiley Law Group at (800) 930-8145 for a free consultation.