According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, traumatic brain injuries are responsible for more infant deaths and permanent disabilities than any other factor. Brain damage in newborns is usually the result of oxygen deprivation, blunt force trauma, compression during birth or physician negligence.
If you suspect that your infant was the victim of medical malpractice, contact the Law Offices of Needle & Ellenberg, PA. A brain injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale can evaluate your case and guide you through the claims process.
Call 305-290-1736 to schedule a free evaluation. Until then, read on to learn three signs that may indicate brain damage in young children:
1. Cognitive Issues
Signs of cognitive disabilities may not become apparent until the child grows, as Birth Injury Guide explains. Many parents do not notice symptoms until the child starts missing crucial milestones in development.
Sometimes cognitive disorders only become evident after the child enters school. However, some of these disabilities, such as Asperger’s syndrome and autism, may be the results of brain damage that occurred when the child was younger.
Common symptoms of cognitive issues include
- Inability to control impulse;
- Communication difficulties;
- Language problems;
- Lack of focus or concentration;
- And trouble understanding and remembering information.
2. Perceptual Problems
Perceptual difficulties, such as spatial disorientation, are common symptoms of brain damage in kids. Unfortunately, they are not always easy to notice until the child is older.
Perceptual problems can be difficult for doctors to diagnose in very young children. Symptoms include sensitivity to touch or discomfort, as well as visual or hearing disorientation.
3. Physical Complications
Physical problems are usually the first noticeable signs of brain damage in children. As infants grow and start crawling, walking and being more active, physical symptoms begin to show. These can range in severity – from subtle headaches to coordination difficulties. Other physical symptoms include:
- Sleeping or waking problems;
- Constant fatigue;
- Light sensitivity;
- Paralysis;
- And tremors.
Signs of Brain Damage in Newborns
Most brain injuries are immediately obvious. It is rare for a brain injury to lack physical evidence, but it can happen. Common symptoms of brain damage in newborns include:
- Deformed or large forehead;
- Abnormal spine shape;
- Unusually tiny head;
- Neck stiffness;
- Face distortion;
- Seizures;
- Inability to focus the eyes;
- Difficulty feeding;
- Extreme fussiness;
- Constant crying;
- And problems lying down.
Many parents believe that these symptoms result from natural causes – and this is often the case. However, physician negligence either before or during the birthing process can contribute to severe brain damage.
If your child was the victim of a preventable birth injury, contact the Law Offices of Needle & Ellenberg, PA. You may be entitled to compensation to pay for health-care bills and other damages related to the malpractice.
A medical malpractice attorney in Florida can evaluate your case and structure your claim. We can contact witnesses, access medical experts and gather evidence to strengthen your case. Call 305-290-1736 to schedule a free evaluation.