Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy can be a serious condition that results in lifelong medical issues including permanent disability, cerebral palsy, and brain damage. Those with HIE may struggle with their disabilities and need expensive medical treatment, surgery, and more.
Though there is no cure, a hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy lawyer can help you get financial compensation for your child’s injuries.
If your child’s HIE was caused by the negligence of a medical professional or hospital, you may be entitled to compensation for all the present and future expenses the injury will cost you. To learn more, contact the expert birth injury law team at Merson Law PLLC.
If you are unsure of whether you have a birth injury case, you can contact Merson Law PLLC for a free initial consultation, or read on to learn more about HIE.
Without legal representation, it’s nearly impossible for an individual to win a birth injury case. That’s why you need an experienced HIE lawyer to argue on your behalf against your opposition.
What is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy?
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, usually referred to simply as HIE, is a brain condition that may develop during pregnancy, labor and delivery or in the postnatal period. It occurs as a result of birth asphyxia, which is when the brain is starved of oxygen for a period of time. HIE can result in serious, permanent damage to the brain.
While many infants with HIE experience mild symptoms, or even no symptoms, in rare and serious cases, HIE can be life-altering.
“If the blood or oxygen supply to the brain has been interrupted, the rest of the body may have also been “starved” of oxygen. This may cause damage to other organs, including the heart, liver, kidneys and bowels. These organs usually return to normal function. However, if the brain has sustained an injury, it may not recover fully. The length of time the brain was without oxygen usually determines the severity of the damage.”
-Courtesy of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals
Causes of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
HIE is always caused by oxygen deprivation. This can occur for a variety of reasons. HIE can develop during pregnancy, during labor and delivery, or after your baby has been born.
During each of these stages, there are several known causes of HIE.
HIE During Pregnancy
HIE during pregnancy can be caused by:
- Problems with blood flow to the placenta
- Preeclampsia
- Maternal diabetes with vascular disease
- Congenital fetal infections
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Severe fetal anemia
- Heart disease
- Lung malformations
HIE During Labor and Delivery
Potential causes of HIE during labor and delivery can include:
- Umbilical cord problems
- Abruption of the placenta or rupture of the uterus
- Excessive bleeding from the placenta
- Abnormal fetal position, such as the breech position
- Prolonged late stages of labor
- Very low blood pressure in the mother
HIE After Delivery
Problems that induce HIE after delivery can include:
- Severe prematurity
- Severe lung or heart disease
- Serious infections
- Trauma to the brain or skull
- Very low blood pressure in the baby
- Respiratory failure or cardiac arrest
What is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy?
“Hi, my name is Jordan Merson and i’m the founder of Merson Law.”
“Birth Injury and medical malpractice questions and topics like the one stated above are what the Lawyers and Attorney’s of Merson Law are specialists at.”
“It was my dream to one day be a fierce advocate for those that have no voice and seemingly no recourse for the wrongs they have suffered at the hands of others.”
Some of Merson Law’s birth injury case wins:
- $17 million for failure to timely perform c-section on baby
- $14.8 million for baby brain damaged when c-section was delayed
- $14.4 million for Queens family whose child suffered brain damage
- $11 million for Brooklyn woman who had untreated post-delivery bleeding
- $11.3 million jury verdict for brain damage child
“To make that dream a reality, i’ve worked hard to build a unique and successful medical malpractice personal injury law firm in New York, Merson Law.”
“At Merson Law, our birth injury team of experts are focused on bringing justice and compensation for those people whose lives will never be the same because of medical negligence.”
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Symptoms of HIE can differ, depending on the extent and the severity of the brain injury.
Symptoms also vary based on what part of your child’s brain was affected.
Since HIE can cause cerebral palsy, many of the signs and symptoms of CP also apply to HIE. In addition to symptoms of cerebral palsy, other signs and symptoms of HIE include:
- Abnormal movements or seizures
- Feeding problems, caused by weak muscles in the throat and mouth
- Your baby has a weak cry
- Your baby is unreactive to sights or sounds, or they react abnormally to stimulation
Other signs of HIE include organ dysfunction, especially of the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and blood. These can be hard to identify as a parent, which is why it is important that your doctor examines your baby after birth and at regular intervals thereafter.
A negligent doctor or medical professional may not properly identify the signs and symptoms of HIE, which can lead to further issues for your child.
If your doctor failed to recognize these signs, you may be able to sue for medical malpractice with the help of an HIE lawyer, like Jordan Merson.
Treatments for HIE
HIE can cause severe damage, including organ dysfunction and death. Because HIE is so dangerous, it is incredibly important to treat HIE both immediately after the birth of your child and throughout their life.
Brain Cooling
Brain cooling is the main treatment for infants with HIE immediately after birth.
Research has shown that if the brain is cooled just a few degrees below normal body temperature soon after birth, there may be less brain injury.
In this treatment, your baby will be placed on a cooling blanket for three days. Babies are then given medicines to help them rest comfortably and are closely monitored for any signs of discomfort.
After the cooling period, your baby will be slowly re-warmed to normal body temperature.
Other long-term therapies and treatments include:
- Physical therapy
- Speech coaching
- Recreational therapy
- Corrective surgery
- Occupational therapy
- Medications
- Braces and orthotics (for walking and stability)
- Equipment like wheelchairs, rolling walkers, canes, etc.
Get connected with emotional, medical, and financial help
We understand how important it is for you to get back to some normalcy and give your child the best life possible. The New York Birth Injury Guide can provide you with the information and resources that fit you and your family’s needs.
What causes hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy?
HIE is always caused by oxygen deprivation. This can occur for a variety of reasons. HIE can develop during pregnancy, during labor and delivery, or after your baby has been born.
For specific causes of HIE, see causes of HIE.
What are the signs and symptoms of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy?
Symptoms of HIE can differ, depending on the extent and the severity of the brain injury.
Symptoms also vary based on what part of your child’s brain was affected.
Since HIE can cause cerebral palsy, many of the signs and symptoms of CP also apply to HIE.
In addition to symptoms of cerebral palsy, other signs and symptoms of HIE include:
-Abnormal movements or seizures
-Feeding problems, caused by weak muscles in the throat and mouth
-Your baby has a weak cry
-Your baby is unreactive to sights or sounds, or they react abnormally to stimulation
How long do babies with HIE live?
It is difficult to determine an accurate life expectancy for babies with HIE, as many survive the initial weeks after injury. However, the permanent brain damage that arises as a result of HIE can cause complications that affect life expectancy.
Approximately 15-20% of infants with HIE die within the first few weeks.
Have a question about birth injury? Contact us.
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