How do I know if my child has suffered a birth injury?

A Kansas City Lawyer Describes Common Birth Injury Symptoms and How to Move Forward

As a new parent, the health and safety of your baby is of utmost importance to you and your family. It can be challenging to know exactly what to expect in terms of their behavior and development, so it’s essential to know how to recognize issues that could indicate the presence of a birth injury. In this article, the Kansas City birth injury lawyers from Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet describe key symptoms and explain what to do if you suspect your child may have suffered an injury during the labor and delivery process.

Recognizing a Birth Injury: Common Signs and Symptoms

There are many different types of birth injuries that vary greatly in severity. Some are apparent from the time of birth, but others aren’t noticeable right away. That’s why it’s so important for new parents to know and be able to recognize signs that indicate a problem. Common birth injury symptoms include:

Bruising or swelling: Visible marks, bruises, or swelling on a baby's head, face, or shoulders at the time of birth or shortly after

Weak or absent reflexes: Failure to exhibit normal newborn reflexes

Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes within a few days of birth

Breathing difficulties: Unusually rapid or slow breathing, grunting sounds, a bluish tint to the skin

Abnormal sounding cry: A cry that is unusually weak or that sounds different from what would normally be expected from a newborn

Sensory problems: Lack of response to sounds or difficulty tracking objects visually

Movement abnormalities: Difficulty moving limbs, floppy or weak limbs, muscle stiffness, an arched movement, unequal movement on different sides of the body

Facial paralysis: Lack of movement on one side of the face, eyelid drooping, or difficulty closing the eye.

Misshapen head: Abnormal skull shape or indentations

Seizures: Twitching, convulsions, or other involuntary movements

Poor feeding: Difficulty latching onto a nipple or challenges with sucking or swallowing

Lethargy: Excessive sleepiness, difficulty waking up, or a lack of interest in eating

Irritability: Excessive crying or fussiness, especially when touched or moved.

Developmental delays: Slow to reach milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking, or talking

The list above doesn’t encompass every possible symptom of a birth injury, but it helps inform you on how to take action to protect your child.

See a Trusted Doctor if You See Signs of a Birth Injury

It’s critical to seek medical attention from a skilled pediatrician immediately if your baby exhibits any signs of a potential birth injury. After all, you want your baby to have the best chance of living a healthy and full life. Symptoms like the ones above aren’t always related to a birth injury, but still typically indicate the presence of a problem that will require medical intervention. Early diagnosis and intervention can be critical in managing the effects of a birth injury and improving outcomes, as well as the successful treatment of medical challenges caused by other factors.

Our Missouri Birth Injury Lawyers Can Help

If you’re not sure where to find a doctor who can evaluate your child, reach out to a skilled birth injury attorney in your local area, as they’ll be able to help connect you with a trustworthy physician who can evaluate your baby and determine the nature and severity of their condition.

If you’re in the Kansas City area and suspect that your child may have a birth injury, we encourage you to reach out to Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet for assistance. Our team’s experienced personal injury lawyers have significant experience with medical malpractice cases like these.

The sooner we get involved, the faster we can begin the process of gathering evidence and crafting effective legal strategies to help prove your birth injury case. Our team is committed to helping you and your family get the justice and fair compensation you deserve, whether via a settlement or court verdict.

Was Your Child Injured During Birth in Kansas City, Missouri?

If you or your child was injured during birth due to medical negligence or malpractice, contact an experienced Kansas City birth injury lawyer immediately. Our team will advocate for your rights and pursue compensation to help your child and family move forward. Please feel free to contact us online or call our office directly at 888.813.0825 to schedule your free consultation. We are proud to serve Kansas City, Missouri and the surrounding area and look forward to speaking with you.