There are a number of birth injuries or defects your child could have, some of which may be the result of nature and others from a physician’s negligence. With such a wide variety of potential injuries, the warning signs are too numerous to list. However, there are a number of symptoms that call for taking your child to a physician or asking your pediatrician to investigate further.
If you learn soon after your child’s birth, or months or years later that your child suffers from a condition that is likely the result of a medical malpractice during your pregnancy or birth or shortly after, then your next step should be to contact an attorney at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. We have decades of legal experience and have handled many obstetric malpractice claims. We will thoroughly review your child’s situation and explain your options.
Call us at (205) 933-1500 or use our online form to schedule a free appointment.
Warning Signs of a Birth Injury
Some symptoms that may point to a genetic defect or birth injury include:
- Odd Skin Color: If your infant’s skin appears different, such as too yellow, grey, blue, or purple, you should seek out a medical opinion right away. This could be a sign of a number of minor to serious conditions.
- Swelling: If your child experiences swelling in their limbs, digits, or on their face, this could a sign of a heart defect.
- Abnormal Heart Beats: If at any point you, a nurse, or a physician hears abnormal heart sounds, you should ask for additional tests to determine if your infant was born with a heart defect.
- Trouble Feeding: If your child refuses to eat, cannot gain weight, or quickly loses weight, speak with your pediatrician. If common remedies do not improve the situation, then further testing may be necessary.
- Weakness or Paralysis: If it appears your baby’s legs are particularly weak, their leg movements are limited, or they do not move their legs at all, you should contact a physician. This could be a sign of spina bifida or a spinal cord injury obtained during or shortly after birth.
- Muscle Tremors or Spasms: When your child experiences physical tremors including any unintentional and rhythmic movements, this could be a sign of numerous physical or neurological conditions.
- Seizures: If your child suffers a seizure, which may or may not include whole-body convulsions, you should seek medical attention immediately. Seizures can also include infants stiffening all or parts of their bodies, suddenly going limp, rolling their eyes, rapidly blinking, throwing up, sweating, and loss of consciousness.
- Shortness of Breath: If you notice your child often seems to be out of breath or tires quickly, this could be a sign of a medical condition that could range from minor to severe. The worse case scenario is that shortness of breath is a sign of sickle cell disease.
- Trouble Focusing Their Eyes: When your child seems to have a hard time focusing their vision when developmentally, they should be able to, seek out a medical opinion. This may be a sign of various birth defects or injuries, such as vision problems or brain damage.
- Excessive crying or fussiness: It is difficult to tell when a child cries too much or is overly fussy. However, if your child appears to be uncomfortable or in pain a great deal of time, seek out your pediatrician’s advice.
- Heightened or Lack of Sensitivity: If it seems like your child is overly sensitive to touch or does not feel certain sensations, tell your child’s doctor. Hypersensitivity or lack of sensation can both be signs of a variety of conditions, including nerve damage.
Signs Can Arise During Early Development
Not all birth injuries are obvious in the days or weeks following your child’s birth. For certain conditions, it can take months or years to see signs. Therefore, you should keep your eye out for your child’s developmental milestones. Missing these milestones can signal issues with physical or cognitive development and may be symptoms of a birth injury.
Did Your Child Suffer a Birth Injury? Call Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C.
If your child is dealing with a temporary injury or permanent condition because of a medical professional’s negligence, call us at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. right away. We have handled many obstetric malpractice claims and are here to help your family seek justice.
We understand this is an emotional situation during which it can be difficult to not let your anger, resentment, and fear influence your decisions. Our Alabama medical malpractice lawyers can be the objectivity you need. After we thoroughly review your situation, we will advise you of your legal options. If you have a valid claim, we will guide you through this legal process and will fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve under the law.
To discuss how we can help, contact us at (205) 933-1500 or online to schedule a no cost consultation. With offices in Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, and Montgomery, our attorneys will quickly travel anywhere in the state of Alabama to investigate your case.
