Baltimore Cranial Compression Injuries Lawyer
Newborns can suffer from a number of birth injuries, but those affecting the brain are some of the most devastating. Brain injuries in newborns can happen in several ways, including cranial compression. If your child has suffered a cranial compression injury, it may have been caused by the negligence of your doctor or other healthcare professional. When this is the case, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim to recover damages for your losses. Our Baltimore cranial compression injuries lawyer can help you recover the full settlement you deserve.
What are Cranial Compression Injuries?
Cranial compression injuries, sometimes also referred to as cranial compression ischemic encephalopathy (CCIE), is a very serious type of brain injury. These injuries are a result of excessive external pressure placed on the fetal head during the birthing process. That pressure results in reduced oxygen and blood supply to the brain, which is very dangerous. A certain amount of pressure placed on the baby’s head during birth is normal. When the pressure becomes too great though, it is devastating for the child and the entire family.
Cranial compression injuries do not always present obvious signs of the injury. Sometimes, neurological abnormalities that occur during the first few days of life are the only sign. In other cases, a newborn may present certain signs that indicate they have suffered a cranial compression injury.
Signs of Cranial Compression Injuries
Parents should always watch for signs of cranial compression injuries so they can advocate for their child if they require treatment. Some of the most common signs are as follows:
- Head molding: The term ‘head molding’ is used to describe an abnormally shaped head after childbirth that could be a result of excessive external pressure. Head molding is common after any birth, so this does not always indicate a brain injury has occurred. Still, head molding can result in more pressure inside the skull, which is damaging to the infant’s brain.
- Cephalohematoma: When blood accumulates in the area between the skull and the membrane that covers the skull, known as the periosteum, it can result in broken blood vessels on the head of the infant. This is known as a cephalohematoma and it is more likely to occur when vacuum extractors or forceps are used.
- Caput: When a newborn’s skull swells due to a prolonged or difficult delivery, it is known as a caput succedaneum. This condition is also more common after vacuum extractors or forceps are used.
Not all cranial compression injuries are caused by the negligence of healthcare professionals, but there are times when they are. Even when external factors, such as a discrepancy between the size of the mother’s pelvis and the size of the child’s head, doctors should know how to intervene to ensure no additional harm is done.
Our Birth Injury Lawyers in Baltimore Can Advise on Your Claim
If your child has suffered from cranial compression injuries and you believe it was due to the careless actions of a medical provider, our Baltimore birth injury lawyers can help. At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, our attorneys are experienced with many different types of birth injuries and we want to put our knowledge and skill to work for you. Call us today at 410.567.0800 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about your legal options.
