10 questions to help determine if a birth injury occurred

Parents in Syracuse start protecting their children from the moment they learn of a pregnancy. Many books are published on the subject of “keeping your child safe,” but these books cannot answer every question parents have or help them handle labor on their own. They simply have to rely on medical professionals.

Physicians study for years before they can properly instruct patients, diagnose potential issues and deliver a child. Even after all of this training, some will make mistakes that lead to birth injuries. Some injuries are obvious. Some of them are also easy to overlook, but they could still cause serious developmental disabilities and complications in the future.

How is a new parent, without years of training, supposed to know if a birth injury occurred? Birth Injury Guide is an organization that helps parents answer questions about birth injuries, and this group has enumerated a few things to watch out for in the first 12 months that could be an indication of a birth injury.

Ask yourself these 10 questions:

Does your infant arch his or her back while crying?
Does your child bend his or her arms toward the body or curl a hand in a claw-like shape?
Does your child have difficulty swallowing, eating, sucking or breathing?
Does your child drool excessively, cry with a high-pitch or make grunting noises?
Is your child excessively fussy, lethargic or weak, absent reflexes or has muscle stiffness or looseness?
Does your child shake, writhe, have spasms or favor one side of his or her body?
Does your child appear pale or jaundiced?
Is your child constipated or does he or she struggle to gain weight?
Does it seem as though the child cannot hear, see movement or has light sensitivity?
Does your child have a fever or low heart rate?

If you can answer yes to any of the questions above, it does not mean that a birth injury occurred. It means you should talk to your doctor about potential injuries and consider a second opinion. A doctor may say that there were “potential complications” or “possible sources of a health condition,” which is why you should also consult with an experienced attorney who can help determine if you have a claim for medical malpractice.