Cerebral compression is a birth injury that occurs when pressure increases inside the skull, compressing brain tissue. Excessive head molding, on the other hand, is a birth injury where the infant's skull is deformed due to prolonged pressure during delivery. Both can potentially lead to brain damage, with head molding sometimes causing cerebral compression in severe cases.
Cerebral compression and excessive head molding share a handful of risk factors, as well as potential long-term effects. These medical complications may persist throughout a child’s life, effectively impairing their development and function. Medical teams must accurately pinpoint these risk factors and work around them; to avoid any incidence of the aforementioned birth injuries.
In the US, birth-related injuries of the head are rare – only in about 2% of vaginal deliveries and 1% in cesarean deliveries. Apart from cases caused by congenital and genetic factors, birth injuries only arise due to medical negligence. Negligent healthcare providers are liable for any damages they might cause to families. Families may seek compensation through a medical malpractice claim.
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What Causes Cerebral Compression and Excessive Head Molding?
Incidences of major birth-related head injuries have been on a steady decline over the years. The development of more sophisticated medical techniques has greatly contributed to the decline of birth trauma episodes; for both mother and child.
Today, several risk factors are associated with birth-trauma incidents, which may lead to cerebral compression and excessive head molding. Medical providers must tailor a treatment plan that effectively addresses these risk factors:
Infant and Pregnancy-related Factors
- Macrosomia (big babies weighing more than 4000 grams)
- Macrocephaly (big-headed babies)
- Very low birth weight
- Extreme prematurity
- Congenital conditions
- Low amniotic fluid
- Malpresentation (abnormal fetal position)
Maternal Factors
- Maternal obesity
- Maternal diabetes
- Cephalopelvic disproportion (mom’s pelvis is too small for baby’s head)
- Primiparity (first time mother)
By properly addressing these risk factors, medical teams can avoid prolonged and difficult deliveries – that could lead to birth injuries. At the same time, medical teams must properly respond to fetal distress, should it arise. Proper tools and techniques must be employed to ensure the safety of both mother and child.
How Can These Injuries Be Avoided?
There are several medical measures that can be done to avoid birth traumas. Various measures can be done before, during, and after birth to ensure that an infant is healthy and free from any sort of medical complications.
Here are some measures that can be done to mitigate any chances of birth injuries from happening:
| Before Birth |
| Regular prenatal check-ups |
| Proper maternal nutrition and health maintenance |
| Exercises that will facilitate proper fetal position |
| Early identification and management of risk factors |
| Planning for high-risk pregnancies |
| Patient education on labor and delivery |
| During Birth |
| Appropriate maternal positioning |
| Careful labor management and fetal monitoring |
| Proper pain management |
| Skilled use of assisted delivery techniques (if needed) |
| Careful use of labor-inducing medications |
| Considering cesarean section (only when necessary) |
| After Birth |
| Immediate assessment of newborn's condition |
| Monitoring for signs of neurological issues |
| Prompt treatment of potential birth injuries |
| Follow-up examinations to assess infant |
| Parental education on caring for affected infants |
| Long-term developmental monitoring |
By failing to properly identify and workaround associated risk factors, negligent doctors become liable for any birth injuries that may arise under their care.
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Potential Long-Term Conditions
As said earlier, cerebral compression and excessive head molding can lead to adverse long-term complications that could hinder a child’s life. In a nutshell, these complications may be summarized into:
- Neurological disorders (i.e., cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, etc.)
- Cognitive and developmental impairments
- Sensory deficits (affecting vision, hearing, and sensory processing)
- Physical disabilities (impacting motor skills, balance, and coordination)
- Behavioral and learning challenges
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.
