Austin Medical Malpractice Blog

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalitis (HIE) is a type of brain trauma that is found in infants in Texas and across the nation. It occurs when the baby's brain doesn't receive enough blood or oxygen, and this usually happens before or during labor. The condition occurs in 20 infants out of every 1,000 live births. HIE is more likely in premature infants; approximately 60 percent of infants born before 37 weeks gestation experience HIE.

The condition affects large portions of the infant's brain and body. When HIE occurs, the supply of oxygen going to the brain is reduced (hypoxia) and the blood flow going to other vital body organs is slowed (ischemia). Symptoms of HIE typically include low heart rate, no breathing or weak breathing, amniotic fluid that contains meconium, poor muscle tone, blueish or pale skin, seizures and high levels of acid in the blood. If HIE is suspected, a doctor may order tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests include CT scans, echocardiography, MRI scans and ultrasounds.

When mothers give birth in Texas, the last thing they may expect is for themselves or their child to emerge with a serious birth injury. However, in far too many cases, medical negligence or mistakes can lead to dangerous outcomes for newborns. Despite advances in scientific knowledge, birth injury continues to pose a serious threat. For example, the rate of brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) has increased.

Researchers have attempted to identify risk factors in order to reduce the threat of this type of birth injury by studying mothers who delivered a child with BPBI and those who did not. Medical decisions were shown to be linked to the likelihood of a negative outcome; for example, the risk of BPBI was 2.5 times greater when oxytocin was used to stimulate contractions. In addition, the risk rose 3.7 times when a condition of excessive contractions, called tachysystole, occurred during labor and delivery. Other issues were also linked to a higher BPBI risk, including greater weight gain during pregnancy and longer labor times.

Erb's Palsy, a form of brachial plexus palsy, occurs in one or two of every thousand births. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves near the neck that link to the nerves of the arm and shoulder. Fortunately for Texas families, most instances of this condition are relatively minor. The child quickly recovers the ability to feel and move the arm, and physical therapy allows the damaged nerves to heal.

However, there are four types of nerve injuries that may result. A shock is the minor one and most common, but there may also be stretching, rupturing or tearing of the nerves. The three more serious injuries typically result in some degree of permanent injury. As all four types of injury have similar symptoms of loss of feeling and partial or complete paralysis, it is essential to get a proper diagnosis of the severity of the injury.

Despite the fact that the United States is a global leader in health care, mothers in Texas and across the country may not receive sufficient protections during labor and childbirth. As a result, serious birth injuries can have lifelong effects on both mother and child. According to one study, mothers in the United States have the most dangerous experience in the developed world when going through childbirth. Each year, around 700 mothers die and 500,000 women suffer serious injuries during or after the birthing process.

The report notes that at least 50 percent of the deaths could have been prevented had mothers received better care in the hospital. In addition, half of the birth injuries studied could have been prevented or at least mitigated with more responsive, aware health care. Around the world, maternal mortality and injury rates have decreased, especially in other developed nations like France, Japan and Germany. However, the United States has moved in the opposite direction. Mothers face an escalating risk of death during childbirth.