It might be hard to fathom at first, but just about any birth injuries lawyer can tell you that trauma during childbirth is more common than you think. Even though birth trauma rates fell from the period of 2004 to 2012, they were still at 1.9 per 1,000 live births at that time. These injuries are often short-term, and children recover, but in some instances, birth injuries can cause longer-term problems with physical development and even cognitive impairment. Here are some of the ways in which trauma at birth can impact brain development and cognition.
Intellectual Impairment
Because some birth injuries can damage the head of a child and even restrict blood flow to the brain, there’s a chance that this could place a limitation on the child’s cognitive abilities and intellectual development as they grow older. Parents may notice that, down the line, their child displays a severely reduced ability to communicate, along with a general lack of ability early in life. As that child grows older, parents may notice stark learning disabilities that become pervasive in school.
In time, those learning disabilities may manifest as a difficulty in retaining information. It could be the case that the child is less capable in their reading, writing, mathematics, and reasoning skills. This can snowball, of course, and cause problems in other areas of life. Children with learning disabilities often display reduced social skills and a more limited ability to care for themselves as time goes on. This isn’t the only way in which children might be impacted by birth injuries, however.
Lack Of Motor Control
Trauma at birth is believed to cause cerebral palsy in some cases. This disorder can, in turn, lead to a number of movement disabilities, which are categorized as follows:
- Spasticity — stiff muscles and awkward movement that can affect one or more limbs.
- Dyskinesia — difficulty controlling movements, and thus, reduced ability to sit, walk, talk, etc.
- Ataxia — poor coordination and balance, inability to perform quick or dexterous movements.
Cerebral palsy can also lead to some behavioral and developmental concerns.
Other Cognitive Issues
In some cases, experts believe birth trauma can contribute to the development of disorders like ADD and ADHD. Uncontrolled, these conditions can make it more difficult for a child to learn and cause problems in their social lives. It’s important to recognize all these potential birth trauma outcomes and understand them so that you are prepared to deal with the challenges that may come next. If medical negligence caused your child’s birth injury, you should consider seeking help from a personal injury attorney from a personal injury law firm to file a claim or lawsuit. A personal injury lawyer will help you present evidence that will support your claim.