St. Louis medical Malpractice Attorney

birth injuries | hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) refers to damage to the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, because of a lack of oxygen. If the brain were to be deprived of oxygen for as little as five minutes, brain cells will begin to die. Because of the sensitivity of this condition, fatality is a strong possibility. Some other long-term damage from HIE can include:

• Cerebral palsy
• Mental retardation
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Vision impairment or blindness
• Hearing impairment or deafness
• Microcephaly (baby’s head appears smaller than that of a normal infant of similar age and gender)
• Chronic lung disease
• Seizures

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy during or just after childbirth is extremely rare, occurring only 2 to 4 times in every 1000 births. However, HIE can have severe effects. 15-20% of all infants with HIE will die. 25% of the surviving infants will suffer from permanent neurological damage.

Causes of Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

Any situation where a baby’s source of oxygen is disrupted may be attributable to HIE. This includes:

• Placenta abruption
• A rupture of the uterus
• The umbilical cord being wrapped around the neck of the baby
• Maternal hypo tension, or low blood pressure suffered by the mother
• Breech birth

Diagnosing Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

There are many tests that will need to be conducted to determine the severity of damage caused by oxygen deprivation. These include:

• CT Scan: an x-ray of your brain
• MRI scan: a scan using magnetic waves to evaluate the structures of your brain
• Electrocardiogram (EKC or KCG): the measurement of electrical currents through the heart muscle, to measure your heart’s activity
• Echocardiogram: the use of ultrasound to examine the size, shape and motion of your heart
• Blood tests: to measure arterial blood gases and glucose levels
• Electroencephalogram (EEG): a test of brain activity by measuring electrical currents in the brain
• Evoked potentials test: a test to see if the brain shows an electrical response to stimuli such as sight and touch

Millikan Wright LLC has experience in complex medical malpractice cases. Our results demonstrate our committment to helping families recover and heal from an injury or wrongful death. We work only on a contingency fee basis, which means no cost to you until we secure a financial settlement. If we do not win the case, we absorb the entire cost. To arrange a no-cost consultation and learn how you may be entitled to compensation, contact us online or call our personal injury lawyers at 877.621.0622 (314.621.0622 in St. Louis).

The Missouri Injury Attorneys of Millikan Wright LLC focus serving the needs of the greater St. Louis Metropolitan area. On the Missouri side, our lawyers represent people injured in St. Louis city, St. Louis county, Jefferson county, Franklin county, St. Charles county, and Lincoln county. On the Illinois side, our attorneys represent people hurt in Madison county, St. Clair county and Monroe county.