Local Team Given $2m to Research Birth Injury
A Widener University professor has been awarded a 5-year, $1.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help prevent and treat birth-related injury. As one of the largest grants received at Widener, it will support the continuation of research led by biomedical engineering professor Anita Singh.
Specifically, the study will look at neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP), an injury that happens in 1-4 of every 1,000 births worldwide. NBPP is when the stretching of the network of nerves (brachial plexus) results in weakness of the arm or loss of movement. There is currently a gap in understanding between the causes and how to prevent NBPP. Singh’s research seeks to understand the biomechanical, functional and structural injury thresholds. Her team will collaborate with medical experts at Maryland Hospital, Texas Hospital Austin, Wayne State University, Temple University and Drexel University.
Singh conducted another study on birth injury where she evaluated the impact of lack of oxygen and peripheral nerve injuries in complicated births. Those that experienced lack of oxygen had significantly lower brachial plexus (BP) nerve function.
While many things can complicate pregnancy, some birth injuries arise from human error, or things that could have been prevented. Tom Duffy has recovered birth injury settlements in excess of $20,000,000. If you would like to speak with a top Philadelphia birth injury attorney in Philadelphia, contact us to learn more.