4 Developmental Disabilities Caused by Birth Trauma

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, complications during birth and shortly after delivery often cause developmental disabilities. For example, untreated jaundice in newborns can cause kernicterus, which is a type of brain damage that increases the risk of cerebral palsy, vision problems, and hearing loss.

Researchers estimate that roughly 15 percent of children between the ages 3 and 17 have at least one developmental disability. These conditions vary in severity, but most kids with developmental disabilities have special healthcare and academic needs well into their adolescence and adulthood.

If your child has a developmental disability and you think it arose as a result of a birth injury, contact The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm. Attorney David A. Bowling will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation with a birth injury attorney in New Orleans.

Read on to learn about four developmental disabilities caused by birth trauma:

1. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

reports that approximately 11 percent of children between the ages 4 and 17 have ADHD, but that exact statistic varies among sources depending on how they define the condition. The recommended treatment approach for ADHD is a combination of behavior therapy and medication.

According to Science Daily, researchers have linked the development of ADHD to oxygen deprivation in-utero. Birth asphyxia, preeclampsia, and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome can all increase the risk of developing ADHD.

2. Autism

According to WebMD, several studies indicate that complications during labor and delivery can increase the risk of autism. Such complications include maternal hemorrhage, neonatal anemia, and birth trauma.

3. Visual Impairment

Birth trauma can cause brain damage, which may result in severe visual impairment. Brain damage is the most common cause of SVI in children from developed countries. Damage to any part of the visual system, including the cortex area and the optic nerve, can result in vision loss in newborns.

4. Hearing Loss

Complications during pregnancy or delivery can result in hearing loss in infants. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, trauma or an illness that occurs before or during the birth process are responsible for roughly 25 percent of congenital hearing loss.

If there were complications during your pregnancy or your child’s delivery and this caused an injury to your infant, contact The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm. Raising a child with a developmental disability can cost a veritable fortune, but you may be able to recover some of that expense by filing a medical malpractice claim.

The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm holds the highest possible rating from the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell attorney rating service – an AV Preeminent rating. As your birth injury attorney in New Orleans, David A. Bowling will compassionately represent your interests and help you fight for the maximum compensation.

Call (504) 586-5200 today to schedule a consultation. Visit the USAttorneys website to learn more about medical malpractice claims in Louisiana.