When Do Birth Injury Signs Develop?
After a baby is born, parents quickly become attuned to every movement, sound and behavior. Is that cry normal? Is the baby feeding enough? Why does one arm seem weaker than the other?
Many newborn behaviors are perfectly normal. But sometimes, symptoms that seem like ordinary newborn challenges can be signs of an injury that occurred before, during or shortly after birth. And while some birth injuries are apparent immediately, others may not become noticeable until weeks, months or even years later. Understanding what to watch for can help parents know when it may be time to ask more questions.
What Is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury is physical harm that occurs before, during or shortly after delivery. It can affect a baby's brain, nerves, muscles, bones or other parts of the body.
Birth injuries have many possible causes. Some occur despite appropriate medical care, while others may be associated with potentially preventable complications or medical errors. Some injuries heal over time with little or no lasting effect. Others can result in long-term disabilities that require ongoing medical care, therapy and support. Just as the severity can vary, so can the timing of symptoms.
Signs That May Appear Soon After Birth
Some potential symptoms of a birth injury may be noticed in the delivery room or during the baby's first days or weeks of life. According to the Cerebral Palsy Guide, signs can include:
- An arched back while crying
- Difficulty sucking, eating or swallowing
- Excessive drooling
- A hand that remains curled or claw-like
- High-pitched crying
- Low oxygen levels
- Muscles that seem unusually loose or stiff
- A slow heart rate
- Sensitivity to light
- Weak reflexes
- Seizures
These symptoms do not necessarily mean that a baby has suffered a birth injury. Feeding difficulties, fussiness, reflux and other concerns can have many explanations. What matters is that persistent or unusual symptoms are evaluated rather than dismissed. Identifying a problem early may allow a child to receive appropriate treatment, therapy or other interventions sooner.
When One Arm Seems Weak
One type of birth injury involves the brachial plexus, a network of nerves that controls movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm and hand. These nerves can be injured when they are stretched or damaged during a difficult delivery. Depending on the extent of the injury, parents may notice that the baby does not move one arm as much as the other, has a weaker grip or holds an arm in an unusual position.
Some brachial plexus injuries improve as the nerves heal. More serious injuries can cause lasting weakness or paralysis and may require physical therapy, surgery or other treatment.
When Movement is Affected
Cerebral palsy is one condition that may be associated with lack of oxygen during the birth process. This results in a brain injury and affects movement, balance and posture.
Early signs can include unusual muscle stiffness or floppiness, poor head control, legs that stiffen or cross, difficulty with movement or delays in reaching developmental milestones. Because babies develop at different rates, a single delayed milestone does not necessarily indicate cerebral palsy. A pattern of delays or unusual movements, however, may warrant further evaluation.
Why Early Evaluation Matters
Parents know their children. If something doesn't seem right, it is reasonable to raise the concern with the baby's pediatrician, even if a symptom initially seems minor. Early evaluation can be particularly important when a child could benefit from physical therapy, occupational therapy, feeding therapy or other early intervention services.
Parents may also have questions about whether an injury was unavoidable or whether something went wrong during pregnancy, labor, delivery or newborn care. Medical records, fetal monitoring strips, delivery notes and other documentation may help provide answers.
Because legal deadlines can apply to birth injury claims, families who suspect that a preventable medical error contributed to their child's injury may also want to speak with an attorney rather than waiting until the full extent of a child's condition becomes clear.
If you are looking to better understand your legal rights and options and speak with a top Philadelphia birth injury attorney in Philadelphia, please contact us.