You can tell if your baby has neurological problems by reporting any symptoms that concern you to a trusted physician and having them thoroughly evaluate your child. A doctor may be able to give you a professional opinion or run tests to get a diagnosis or rule out a problem.
Signs of neurological problems may appear over time if a baby misses certain developmental milestones. Neurological problems can impact the brain, nerves, and spinal cord. This means they can affect anything from movement to muscle control to vision or hearing.
If you notice that your baby has any difficulty controlling their body, is slow to reach milestones, or has any concerning symptoms, you should bring them to a doctor for an immediate evaluation.
Neurological conditions may be the result of a preventable birth injury, an issue that occurred during gestation, a genetic issue, or even an unknown cause.
Many Neurological Concerns Present With Similar Symptoms
While symptoms of neurological problems do vary according to the specific condition your child has, many present with similar symptoms. Your doctor may order tests if your newborn has a seizure, or if they are particularly stiff or floppy. As the child grows, trouble meeting developmental milestones and difficulty with motor skills and mobility may trigger testing for a neurological condition.
If none of these signs are present in your baby, you may be able to tell if your baby has neurological problems by watching for unusual symptoms and discussing them with your baby’s doctor. Your doctor will want to know about unusual symptoms such as:
- Sudden changes in the size of the baby’s head
- High or low muscle tone, or other muscle tone irregularities
- Unusual body movement
- Having trouble eating
- And more
In many cases, parents do not see any symptoms of a neurological condition until the child fails to meet developmental milestones around the same time as their peers. This may include:
- Failing to support their own head
- Not rolling over
- Inability to sit up on their own
- Not learning to walk
- Struggling to feed themselves
Reporting these delays to your child’s doctor may lead them to track your child’s progress. If they continue to struggle with these milestones, they may order tests to rule out brain injuries or other causes of the concern. This could include:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Birth Injury Medical Malpractice and Neurological Conditions in Babies
You may be able to file a birth injury lawsuit if a doctor or another medical caregiver:
- Caused your child’s birth injury
- Failed to prevent a preventable birth injury
- Allowed your child to suffer further injuries by missing a diagnosis or through other negligence
There are several ways that neurological conditions can occur in babies due to medical malpractice. Depending on the case, the following actions—or inactions—by a negligent doctor could have caused or contributed to an infant brain injury:
- Failing to detect and treat an infection
- Allowing the baby’s oxygen supply to be cut off
- Failing to screen and plan for a difficult delivery
- Applying excessive force to the baby’s head
- Harming the baby with the incorrect use of forceps or a vacuum extraction device
Damages in a Medical Malpractice Case
Depending on the laws of your state and the details of your case, you may be able to recover compensation in a medical malpractice claim or lawsuit for damages such as:
- Current and future medical care and support
- Ongoing care expenses
- The time you missed at work caring for your child
- Additional out-of-pocket expenses, such as outfitting your home for wheelchair access
- Pain and suffering
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Talk to a Member of the Birth Injury Lawyers Group Team Today
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group handles medical malpractice lawsuits nationwide. If you believe that your child’s neurological problems were caused or made worse by doctor negligence, call us and get help today.
For a free case review, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529. A member of our team is standing by to discuss your child’s condition, possible birth injury, and your legal options.
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group represents clients on a contingency-fee basis with no advanced payments required.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."