Many people are under the impression that, if their child sustained a birth injury, it would be apparent shortly after childbirth. While it is true that many birth injuries are recognized before the newborn even leaves the hospital, this is not always the case. Some birth injuries do not become apparent for months or even years after childbirth. Do you suspect your child has an undiagnosed birth injury? If you notice some of the signs we’ve laid out below, that may be the case.
Many birth injuries are diagnosed before the baby leaves the hospital. But not all of them.
Missing Developmental Milestones
Before addressing some specific signs of an undiagnosed birth injury, we’d like to point out that missing developmental milestones in general is something to look out for. If you’re a parent, we’re sure you’ve heard much about these milestones. Here are some basic examples:
- Turning their heads and following movements around 3 months
- Crawling around 9 months
- Standing and walking at around 18 months
Every child differs somewhat in terms of development. But if you notice that your child has missed a significant amount of these milestones, they may have sustained a birth injury that has impacted their motor development.
Poor Motor Skills
We touched on this in our previous point, but one of the most common ways that children exhibit signs of an undiagnosed birth injury is through a delay in the development of their motor skills. Often, these symptoms will not emerge until the child is a few months old. Delays in motor development commonly result from such birth injuries as cerebral palsy or injuries to the brachial plexus.
Poor motor development can manifest in a variety of ways. You may notice that they have an inability to walk or crawl in a way we consider normal. They might also exhibit poor coordination, or have difficulty with such tasks as getting dressed or eating with utensils.
Psychological Difficulties
Not all signs of an undiagnosed birth injury have to do with motor development. You should also be on the lookout for any psychological difficulties your child seems to be having. They can result from a number of birth injuries, among them infant brain damage.
These symptoms of a birth injury may not manifest until well into your child’s development. You may notice your child having difficulties with problem-solving. They might also have poorer memory than is to be expected from a child of their age. If you see that your child struggles with speech, this could either be symptomatic of a brain or a nerve injury.
What Can I Do?
If you suspect that your child has an undiagnosed birth injury, it’s best to get them to a medical professional as soon as possible. This is so that they may confirm or deny your suspicion. Once this has been done, the next step is, of course, to provide your child with the necessary care. Thankfully, there are more resources available to assist victims of birth injuries than ever before, and early intervention is crucial for them to live the most fulfilling life possible.
But the care your child needs may be costly. If you suspect your child’s birth injury was caused by medical malpractice, we’re here to help.
Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents, and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts settlements. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, for more information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
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