Chicago Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Attorney

Infant hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) affects approximately two out of every 1,000 children born at full term, and countless more in preterm births according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). HIE affects infants whose brains do not receive the necessary amount of oxygen due to limited blood flow during pregnancy or the labor and delivery process. If caught early, your doctor may be able to prevent any long-term damage. However, without proper monitoring, this condition can go unnoticed and cause permanent, irreparable injury to your child.

If you believe your child’s condition was caused by medical malpractice, you should consult with a Chicago encephalopathy attorney. At Power Rogers, we are dedicated to providing our clients with the legal assistance they need when someone’s negligence or wrongdoing results in the injury of a child. Contact us today to speak with one of our attorneys about your situation.

What is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy?

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is a dangerous and sometimes fatal condition that is caused by an interruption of blood and oxygen to the brain. It can affect older children and adults when they experience severe events, such as drowning and drug overdoses, but is most commonly associated with fetal development issues and birth defects. You might also hear a medical provider refer to HIE in infants as birth asphyxia, neonatal encephalopathy, and perinatal hypoxia.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy in Newborns

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is categorized into mild, moderate, and severe instances of brain injury. All of them require immediate emergency medical treatment. Because of this, it is imperative to recognize the signs and symptoms of HIE. If your child displays them, call 911 at once. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy symptoms include:

• Issues with muscles include overly tense musculature or weak, floppy arms and legs with little or no response to reflexes
• Problems feeding a newborn
• Fatigue and irritability
• Weak crying
• Abnormal breathing patterns
• Slow or irregular heartbeat
• Unresponsiveness
• Unconsciousness
• Cyanosis, or a blue tinge to the skin, lips or fingers

What Causes Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy?

Maternal health as well as disruptions in fetal health can both lead to the development of neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. HIE can occur during the fetal development stages when a pregnant parent has too high or too low blood pressure or experiences low oxygen levels. Parents who have gestational diabetes or who use tobacco, alcohol, or other substances while pregnant are particularly at risk for delivering newborns with HIE. Certain infections, such as toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and preeclampsia, can also increase your child’s risk of experiencing medical concerns like HIE.

Delivery complications are perhaps the most significant risk factor for newborns and HIE. Even a healthy and non-eventful pregnancy can end in a significant brain injury for a newborn when any of the following occur:

• Doctors may make errors performing a C-section, or delay undertaking a C-section, which can cause or exacerbate oxygen deprivation to the baby.
• Doctors may be absent when labor begins and fail to respond to significant developments like dropping fetal heart rate and other signs of distress.
• Doctors may improperly prescribe labor-inducing medications like Cytotec and Pitocin. Negligent use of these drugs has been associated with oxygen deprivation and HIE in newborns.
• Doctors may improperly use tools like forceps and vacuum extractors, causing traumatic injury to the baby.
• Mothers experience umbilical cord complications, such as compression or dropping before the fetus.
• The placenta separates from the uterus, or the uterus tears.
• The placenta blocks the cervix during labor.

Long-Term Effects of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is a serious medical condition that should be treated immediately. Doctors should provide tests both during fetal development as well as in a timely manner after birth for a newborn, especially after a difficult or prolonged labor. Many doctors prepare to treat HIE regardless of confirmed diagnosis because time is of the essence in providing relief and preventing as many long-term effects as possible in a child.

However, some doctors fail to diagnose HIE or fail to act appropriately. As a child moves through mild to moderate hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy stages, they may recover fully or appear to be recovered until problems resurface later in life. A doctor may diagnose a child as having suffered from HIE when they:

• Miss key developmental milestones, such as sitting up, crawling, walking, or talking
• Have difficulty paying attention or experience intellectual disabilities
• See delayed growth or fail to gain weight
• Have poor vision or hearing
• Experience seizures
• Have cerebral palsy
• Are prone to infections.

These are all examples of permanent brain damage that may have been caused by a case of HIE during fetal development or a difficult and prolonged birth.

How is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Treated?

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy treatments can include immediate post-birth interventions such as cooling and rewarming the infant’s body, EEG monitoring, and supplemental oxygen. At times, children with HIE may require anti-seizure medications as well as additional diagnostic testing like ultrasounds, MRIs, and heart monitoring.

Children who experience HIE may also need additional care as they age. Examples include:

• Speech and/or physical therapy to help them meet developmental milestones
• Additional educational programs
• Glasses, hearing aids, and other medical assistive devices

All of these costs can create an additional and unforeseen burden on parents. Some of these expenses are immediate but some may be lifelong. As a parent, you might be concerned about your ability to provide for your child’s changing needs, as well as want to be able to ensure that they are receiving the best care possible. You may be able to recover compensation that can help you with all of these concerns when your claim qualifies for an HIE malpractice lawsuit.

Can Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Be Caused By Medical Malpractice?

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy develops in many different ways, and not all doctors advise expecting mothers carefully enough about the risks associated with it. At times, a doctor may be liable even when they do not directly cause trauma or oxygen deprivation to the baby. If they do not respond appropriately to difficulties during birth; fail to monitor expecting mothers for dangerous infections, gestational diabetes, or other common HIE risk factors; or do not provide adequate care, then they may be held accountable by an HIE lawyer.

HIE is a complex medical condition and bringing a successful malpractice case around it is just as complex an undertaking. A hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy lawyer can consult with medical experts, subpoena hospital data, and bring the necessary legal expertise to the fact-finding mission involved in a successful claim.

Contact Power Rogers Today To Speak With A Chicago Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Attorney

If your doctor caused or greatly contributed to your child’s birth injury, the attorneys at Power Rogers are prepared to hear the details of your case. Our team has recovered millions of dollars for Chicago families in birth injury cases. We understand that many parents who have newborns with HIE require additional time and resources to cope with the complications involved, and we will guide you through the legal process with compassion and dedication.

Contact our Chicago HIE attorneys today to begin fighting to secure the compensation you need and deserve.