Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

Is your child suffering from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) or another type of birth injury caused by a lack of oxygen?

When an infant’s blood flow is disrupted at the time of birth, it deprives the baby of oxygen, which can have devastating, lifelong consequences for anyone—especially for vulnerable newborns. There are many potential causes of HIE and other oxygen-related birth injuries, but if your child’s HIE injury was caused by the negligence of a doctor or other medical professional, you may be eligible for financial compensation.

The Indianapolis birth injury attorneys at Wilson Kehoe Winingham are here to help you and your family every step of the way.

With over 30 years of experience, the HIE attorneys at WKW will investigate and analyze every part of your case and make sure you get the support you need to be successful. Whether your case is negotiated at settlement or brought to trial before a jury, WKW is ready for the challenge.

HIE in Newborns

HIE is a type of birth injury that can occur when a baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen at birth due to a lack of oxygenated blood flow. There are many potential causes of HIE as well as a number of symptoms, and unfortunately, a child suffering from HIE could experience lifelong consequences.

A mistake on the part of a medical provider during birth or prenatal care could lead to restricted oxygen flow and may be considered malpractice. If a doctor misses an opportunity to prevent HIE or acts negligently in a way that causes HIE, your child could suffer.

Causes of HIE

Many mistakes, complications, and risk factors can cause HIE:

• High-risk pregnancy conditions
• Prolonged labor
• Too little amniotic fluid
• Umbilical cord conditions (for example, a prolapsed cord, a compressed cord, or a cord wrapped around the baby’s neck)
• Placental abruption (when the placenta separates from the uterine wall too early)
• Improper use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during delivery
• Excessive dosages of Pitocin or other labor-inducing drugs
• Rupture of the uterus
• Anesthesia errors
• Breech birth
• Shoulder dystocia
• Failure to recognize signs of fetal distress

This list is not exhaustive. Doctors and hospital staff have the responsibility to carefully monitor the health of your child and react quickly if complications arise.

Symptoms of HIE

Keep an eye out for these HIE symptoms:

• Breathing problems and/or need for resuscitation at birth
• Seizures within the first couple of days
• Difficulty nursing (inability to latch, suck, or swallow)
• Low APGAR scores
• Discoloration (baby’s skin appears blue)
• Lack of muscle tone (baby seems limp)
• Abnormal neonatal reflexes (for example, the baby doesn’t respond to loud noises or cannot grasp onto your finger)

You know your baby best. If you have suspicious that your child is suffering from oxygen deprivation, seek medical help immediately.

Long-Term Effects of HIE

HIE has been linked to several conditions:

• Learning disabilities
• Sensory processing disorders
• Vision and hearing impairments
• Neurodevelopmental delays
• Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
• Cerebral palsy
• Motor impairment

The full impact of HIE on your baby may not be fully recognized for years. Additionally, the severity and location of the brain damage may influence the type and amount of care your child needs.

Why You Should Hire an Experienced HIE Lawyer

HIE can generally be prevented with quality prenatal care, proper fetal monitoring, and timely intervention at the first sign of complications. It’s up to your medical team to closely monitor mother and baby as well as quickly respond to any sign of fetal distress. If a doctor or other healthcare professional acted negligently and your child’s brain was deprived of oxygen as a result, you and your family may be able to proceed with a medical malpractice lawsuit.

No amount of compensation will make up for your baby’s injuries. However, you should not have to suffer financially on top of everything else. Medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering are all damages that could apply to your case.

You don’t need the stress of these financial burdens. What you need is to spend time with your child.

An experienced HIE attorney will take care of all the details surrounding a birth injury lawsuit. Let us help you analyze medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and speak with expert witnesses so you can focus on the health of your newborn.

Contact a Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Attorney Today

The Indianapolis Birth Injury Attorneys at Wilson Kehoe Winingham have extensive experience representing advocating for families that have been impacted by the mistakes of healthcare professionals. If your child has suffered from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and you suspect the negligence of a medical provider is to blame, don’t hesitate to contact the lawyers at WKW. We can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.