Newborn Brain Damage: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

The most common infant injury is related to brain damage. During the process of childbirth, many babies end up with brain damage. While some injuries are reversible, many babies suffer from lifelong physical and mental disabilities due to these brain injuries. Injury is not the only cause of brain damage. There could be other factors contributing to brain damage in newborns.

Causes of Brain Damage

Various factors can cause brain damage in an infant. Some damages can occur in the uterus, while others can happen during delivery or soon after birth. The most common causes of brain damage include:

Hypoxia: Often babies get deprived of oxygen during delivery or immediately after birth. Premature babies are more vulnerable to this. If the brain is deprived of oxygen, it will get damaged. Some of the most common causes of oxygen deprivation are as listed below:

• Asphyxiation due to nuchal cord

• Inadequate oxygen in the mother’s blood during delivery

• A malformed or blocked airway

Infection: Any viral and bacterial infections can cause brain damage

Toxins: Methylmercury and other toxins can cause severe brain damage to newborn babies.

Symptoms of Brain Damage

Cerebral palsy is a common condition that happens due to brain damage during birth. The symptoms of cerebral palsy can be identified as follows:

• Tight muscles

• Irregular walking pattern

• Inflexible joints

• Muscle spasm

• Tremors

• Difficulty in fine motor skills

• Learning disabilities

• Speech impairment

• Drooling

• Urinary and bowel incontinence

• Developmental delays

• Abnormally huge forehead

• Abnormally shaped spine

• Small head

• Difficulty in eating and swallowing

• High-pitched crying

• Neck stiffness

• Drooling while drinking

• Shakiness

Treatment

Infants with mild brain damage have a good chance of recovery. However, if the child suffered severe brain damage then it could cause lifelong issues. They may suffer from disability issues and their quality of life may get compromised. You must seek medical intervention as soon as possible. Brain damage issues do not lessen or progress over time. With proper intervention, your child can attain a good quality of life. The most common treatment options are:

• Assistive devices

• Medication

• Mobility aids

• Occupational therapies

• Physical therapy

• Speech therapy

• Surgery

In many cases, if the child had mild brain damage, they recover with early interventions. Often the parents are unable to recognize the signs and symptoms of mild brain damage. Many years later, the child starts showing symptoms that indicate brain damage. The symptoms could be sleeping disorders, sensitivity to light, muscle spasms, and paralysis. The child may also find it difficult to start crawling or developing speech. In school, they may have issues remembering things. They may also struggle with impulse control.

Infants who suffer from severe brain damage develop cerebral palsy. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but early interventions can help manage symptoms. If cerebral palsy was caused due to medical negligence during delivery, you can seek legal help and get medical compensation.