Perinatal asphyxia, clinically known as Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (or HIE), is a disorder caused by acute or subacute brain injury. This brain injury is due to a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the brain during labor or delivery. The disorder can be acute or chronic, depending on the length of time the infant was deprived of oxygen or blood flow. It can also be characterized as regional or global, depending on the area of the brain affected. Perinatal asphyxia is responsible for a large number of fetal deaths and injuries every year.
The outcome of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy depends on different factors. These factors include, but are not limited to:
Newborns with severe hypoxic-ischemic injury may often be diagnosed with cerebral palsy within the first few years of life. Your child’s doctor can help determine the prognosis of his or her injury.
A hypoxic-ischemic injury can occur during labor and delivery. A newborn who suffers from a hypoxic-ischemic injury may show signs immediately after birth. Signs include, but are not limited to:
Organ dysfunction and problems with vision or hearing are also common. Lab findings may include an acidic arterial cord blood gas reading below 7.2, anemia, and hyperbilirubinemia.
When blood flow to the brain is disrupted, a series of events is set in motion that results in cellular damage. There is a specific period of time that if blood flow is restored, the reintroduction of oxygen and blood flow into an abnormal environment triggers additional events that produce further brain damage. This paradoxical phenomenon is called reperfusion injury. Clinically, the infant may have a period of normal behavior before rapidly deteriorating.
A newborn who has experienced hypoxic-ischemic injury will often undergo an MRI or CT scan to determine the extent of the injury. If the child shows seizure-like activity, an EEG will be performed. Seizure-like activity may include fixed gaze, repetitive movements, or bicycling of the legs. Treatment for the disorder includes:
If you believe your child has suffered a Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) injury, our birth injury lawyers may be able to help you. Call us at (877) 262-9767 or fill out our online contact form to discuss your situation. We handle cases nationwide and have offices conveniently located in Chicago, New York, Wilmington, DE and Birmingham, AL.
The following reviews from our clients do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of another legal matter. The cases mentioned in the reviews are illustrative of some of the matters previously handled by Grant & Eisenhofer involving various areas of birth injury law. These reviews are endorsements.
The following reviews from our clients do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of another legal matter. The cases mentioned in the reviews are illustrative of some of the matters previously handled by Grant & Eisenhofer involving various areas of birth injury law. These reviews are endorsements.
