Common indicators of a birth injury
Posted in Birth Injuries, Firm News on April 11, 2019
Many birth injuries are severe and immediately recognizable. For example, both physicians and parents alike could identify whether a baby has broken bones or muscle-related injuries if the child cannot move easily after birth.
However, some birth injuries are not always so apparent. Symptoms of a birth injury could appear after parents have brought their child home from the hospital. They could even emerge years later. Here is an overview of common symptoms that could indicate a child suffered a birth injury.
Early symptoms
Younger infants suffering from birth injuries could exhibit symptoms such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty eating or swallowing
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Excessive vomiting
It is critical to remember that different birth injuries have different symptoms. Not all of the symptoms in this list will correspond with every birth injury. A child might portray a combination of these symptoms or none at all. They might also experience other health issues, including consistent fevers, irregular weight gain and constipation.
Later signs of a birth injury
Various books describe a child’s physical and mental development in their early months and years. Generally, children should reach different milestones at different ages.
If a child does not meet these milestones, it could be a sign that they suffered a birth injury. They could also point to developmental disabilities. However, developmental disabilities are often an effect of birth injuries as well.
So, some symptoms of a birth injury later in a child’s development include:
- Slow muscle development
- Difficulty crawling or walking
- No babbling or speaking
- Lack of motor skill development
- Slow intellectual development
These milestones can be some of the most helpful indicators of whether a child suffered a birth injury or not.
Symptoms are not always enough proof
While symptoms are essential indicators of birth injuries, they do not often provide enough evidence for a birth injury claim alone. A trusted physician can evaluate the symptoms and confirm whether they resulted from a birth injury.
Jay M. Kelly III - Managing Partner
Meet Jay M. Kelley III, a top medical malpractice attorney in Ohio with over 25 years of experience and $200 million in verdicts and settlements. He is licensed in Washington and heads Elk + Elk’s litigation strategy in state and federal courts and has a unique background as a former felony prosecutor and hospital defense lawyer. Jay specializes in complex cases, including birth injuries and wrongful death, and is recognized by Best Lawyers and ranked among the Super Lawyers Top 10 in Ohio.
call us 1 (800) 355-6446
