Hypoxia as a Birth Injury
Hypoxia, a common
birth injury, is characterized by a deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of the developing fetus. When an unborn baby is dependent upon oxygen and nutrients via the placenta, any lack of oxygen transfer can have long-lasting and sometimes fatal effects.
Several factors contribute to hypoxia.
Compression of the umbilical cord, sluggish maternal blood supply, and damage to the oxygen-transferring placenta can all, either separately or in conjunction with other birth injuries, cause hypoxia, and can accelerate to more serious conditions if not addressed promptly by a physician.
Hypoxia Facts
- The earlier the hypoxia occurs in fetal development, the more damaging it can be.
- Hypoxia can lead to acidosis and asphyxia, in turn causing more serious conditions such as brain damage and even fetal death.
- Physicians may recommend a Cesarean section if hypoxia poses a threat to the unborn baby.
- Doctors may speak with parents regarding the risks of a prolonged pregnancy instead of surgical intervention. If hypoxia is not addressed immediately, effects can be irreversible.
Long-Term Complications of Accelerated Hypoxia
Hypoxia, should it progress to the anoxia, can cause serious effects. Anoxia can cause fetal brain injury, including what is called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE.
Should HIE develop, there is up to a 75% chance that babies will die as a result of serious cases. As HIE progresses, breathing difficulty and organ failure may occur. If a child survives HIE onset, he or she may face developmental complications, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy.
In addition to the above-mentioned complications, recent studies have shown that the possibility for schizophrenia at an older age increases with hypoxia. Scientists compared neuroprotective proteins in umbilical cord and blood samples that had been stored for 40 to 50 years, and the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) suggested that schizophrenia could be linked to varying levels of BDNF as seen in children affected by hypoxia.
Legal Matters Involving Hypoxia
Parents whose children have survived hypoxia often have questions regarding legal responsibility, and here are some questions you can ask yourself before hiring a birth injury attorney.
- What was the reaction of the physician who suspected potential hypoxia?
- Were concerns dealt with in a timely manner?
- What could have caused "fetal distress" in the first place?
- Was the fetus monitored for high-risk conditions?
If you have more questions about hypoxia and anoxia, visit the International Hypoxia Symposia website for a comprehensive suggested reading list.
If your child has suffered Hypoxia or other birth injuries as the result of
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