The heads and shoulders of infants may be bruised on their way out of a mother’s cervix – a sign that a baby experienced pressure-induced stress during labor. Birth injuries involving the head and shoulders could mean lifetime impairments for affected infants. Families can get compensated for these injuries through a medical malpractice claim; and ensure the best possible growth and development for their affected child.
Bruises are areas of discolored skin caused by broken blood vessels beneath the skin's surface. They occur when an impact or injury damages small blood vessels, allowing blood to leak into surrounding tissues. This results in the characteristic blue, purple, or black appearance. Bruises typically heal on their own as the body reabsorbs the leaked blood.
During difficult labor, an infant can get bruised. Bruises may arise due to improper medical handling. In a previous study, severe bruising in newborns has been linked to a higher risk of serious injuries or even death. Should a child be suffering from any severe medical conditions, their parents would also notice other behavioral symptoms apart from just bruises. Consult your doctor as soon as you notice anything unusual with your child.
Did Your Newborn Experience Birth Trauma?
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Is Bruising Normal in Children?
An older study looking at bruising during each developmental stage of healthy children found that bruising became more “normal” as they gained more mobility. Bruises in their sample pool rarely occurred on the face or torso. Independent walkers had the highest bruising rate at 52%; followed by cruisers (those who need support to walk) at 18%.
Only 2% of non-walking babies had bruises, and bruising is sparse in healthy babies under 9 months old.
What Can Cause Bruises in Infants?
Newborns should be free of any bruises at birth. In line with their responsibility to ensure that the delivery is safe for both mother and child, doctors must properly diagnose all risk factors and navigate around them. Prompt and proper interventions are needed to avoid any birth-related injuries from happening.
Bruising and birth injuries may be caused by the following:
- Using forceps during delivery
- Using vacuums for extraction
- Assisted vaginal delivery maneuvers
- Improper management of shoulder dystocia
- Rushed deliveries during emergencies
Could There Be Underlying Severe Conditions?
In cases wherein infants are properly handled but still have bruises, it could be an indicator of underlying blood disorders, vitamin deficiency, or genetic conditions. On the other hand, an otherwise healthy baby with bruises could indicate birth trauma – which can lead to long-term complications such as:
| CONDITION | DESCRIPTION |
| Cerebral Palsy | A neurological disorder affecting movement, posture, and muscle coordination, often caused by brain damage during birth. |
| Brachial Plexus Injury (Erb's Palsy) | Damage to the nerves controlling arm and hand movement, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis. |
| Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) | Brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation during birth, potentially leading to developmental delays, seizures, or cognitive impairments. |
| Intracranial Hemorrhage | Bleeding inside the skull can cause brain damage, potentially resulting in long-term neurological issues or developmental delays. |
| Spinal Cord Injury | Damage to the spinal cord during delivery, potentially causing partial or complete paralysis. |
| Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) | A serious breathing condition where a newborn's circulation continues to bypass the lungs after birth, potentially leading to organ damage due to oxygen deprivation. |
Any birth injuries acquired while under the care of a medical provider may be compensated through a medical malpractice claim. Negligent healthcare providers/facilities should be held liable for all damages they have caused your family.
Suspecting Long-Term Complications from Birth Injury?
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Compensation for Birth-Related Injuries
All medical expenses (past and future) are considered in a medical malpractice claim. In birth injury cases, compensation ensures that an injured child is provided with all the necessary support for their growth and development.
Apart from medical expenses, other economic and non-economic losses are also factored in. Lost income, emotional trauma, and decreased quality of life are some of the more common considerations. For actual compensation figures, please refer to our previous wins.
Speak to a Birth Injury Lawyer Today
At the Porter Law Group, our team of proven medical malpractice lawyers delivers ideal results. We take pride in helping families rebuild after unfavorable circumstances. We operate on a contingency basis – meaning you do not need to pay us anything unless we win your case. Through this approach, we can better support families during their times of need.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, please reach out to us for a non-obligatory free case evaluation. You can also contact us at 833-PORTER9 or info@porterlawteam.com to schedule a consultation.
