Birth asphyxia happens when an infant is deprived of oxygen and blood flow before they are born or during their birth. Birth asphyxia has also be known as Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy. When a baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen, every minute that passes is another minute of possible brain damage. Different injuries can be caused to an infant’s brain when they do not receive the appropriate amount or are completely cut off from a constant flow of oxygen and blood. Sometimes, birth asphyxia can happen naturally, but other times, birth asphyxia can be caused by medical negligence; a medical professional did not perform their job duties with meticulous care and resulted in their negligence.
A variety of different traumas can arise from birth asphyxia, not only for the infant but for the infant’s family members. Without oxygen, no human can survive. The damages that could come to an infant that is deprived of oxygen are unimaginable. The possibility of brain damage is real when birth asphyxia takes place. Ft. Lauderdale medical malpractice birth asphyxia lawyers understand the grave damages that the infant and the family can encounter after suffering from birth asphyxia. In fact, birth asphyxia due to medical negligence occurs on a daily basis. Health care providers are lacking the attention and care that these infants desperately need. They are the first professionals that the infant will encounter and they are the ones that will determine the onset of their lives.
How Can Birth Asphyxia Happen?
Birth asphyxia can happen due to birth complications and medical negligence. Despite a birth complication occurring out of natural causes, the health care provider must know how to react to the complication in a competent manner. These following occurrences can cause an infant to experience asphyxia:
- Prolapsed umbilical cord complication
- When the delivery of the infant is delayed
- When the baby is not being properly monitored
Infant Birth Asphyxia Figures
- In Florida, there were 24 reported deaths due to birth asphyxia between the year 1999 and 2015
- Birth asphyxia affects about two to nine babies per 1,000 births
- Worldwide, 10.5 million infants are killed every year; leading cause being perinatal complications
Asphyxia During Birth Can Be Lethal
An infant being subjected to asphyxia is a dangerous situation. They might survive the encounter with no harm, they may be permanently damaged, or they might die as a result. When birth asphyxia is caused by medical negligence, an investigation involving skilled medical malpractice Ft. Lauderdale lawyers and medical experts will be established to determine the contributing factor to the infant experiencing birth asphyxia. Percy Martinez Law Firm is devoted to all of their clients that come in search of their medical malpractice expertise and support.