Many pilots would say that the most dangerous time of a flight is when landing since so many things could go wrong. Some would say that the same principle applies to the birth of a child, which is also a time when any number of things could go awry. Soon-to-be parents here in Ohio and elsewhere may already be aware that under certain conditions, their unborn and newly born children could suffer from perinatal asphyxia.
When a baby suffers from perinatal asphyxia, he or she suffers from oxygen deprivation before, during or after the birth. It only takes a few minutes for brain cells without oxygen to begin to die. If the mother’s blood pressure drops, something is wrong with the placenta or pressure is placed on the umbilical cord, this condition can develop. Medical personnel attending the mother during labor and delivery should watch for a variety of symptoms that could indicate this is an issue.
Without adequate oxygen, a newborn could die or suffer from brain damage or cardiorespiratory damage. A child who suffers from perinatal asphyxia at birth could experience developmental and intellectual delays, suffer from cerebral palsy, or experience seizures. Doctors could use a variety of treatments depending on the severity of the condition and the needs of the child.
Even if treatments can help a child who suffered from perinatal asphyxia, it does not necessarily erase the fact that he or she – and the mother by extension – most likely did not receive appropriate care during labor and delivery. If Ohio parents discover their newborn child suffered the moderate to severe form of this condition, the chances are he or she will suffer from some lifelong effects that the parents will need to contend with for years to come. Under these circumstances, it may be possible to file a medical malpractice claim in an attempt to receive restitution that could help with the child’s current and future needs.