The long-term effects of oxygen deprivation may include many types of organ damage, complications, and medical conditions. The ongoing delays and disabilities your child could have will depend on the severity of their injuries as well as the parts of their body affected by the oxygen deprivation.
Children may have severe, life-altering medical conditions and disabilities or have only relatively minor delays. Some of the complications related to your child’s birth asphyxia may not be evident until they reach certain levels of development affected. This could mean not knowing your child’s long-term effects until they reach several months old or even until they begin school.
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Oxygen Deprivation Can Cause Several Medical Conditions
Some long-term and life-long effects of oxygen deprivation include complications and medical conditions such as:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Oxygen deprivation may increase the risk that a child develops attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other behavioral concerns.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism spectrum disorders occur more in children with cerebral palsy and other oxygen deprivation-related conditions than in the general population. There is also evidence that children who experience birth asphyxia may be at an increased risk for other mental health disorders and concerns.
Cerebral Palsy
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cerebral palsy is a common motor disability in children. Some children may be severely affected, but more than half can walk independently without canes, walkers, or wheelchairs. About 40 percent of those diagnosed with cerebral palsy also have an intellectual disability that may affect their independence and quality of life, as well.
Developmental Delays and Disabilities
Oxygen deprivation may cause many developmental concerns, including learning disabilities, emotional difficulties, cognitive delays, and concerns about social and behavioral abilities.
Organ Damage
While the damage suffered by the baby’s brain during a period of oxygen deprivation is of utmost concern, the brain is not the only vital organ that suffers damage. Your baby could experience complications, dysfunction, or failure in almost any organ or organ system following oxygen deprivation. This often affects the kidneys, liver, heart, or lungs.
Vision Loss
Vision loss and low vision are a common concern among babies who experienced oxygen deprivation during delivery. According to the CDC, about 15 percent of eight-year-olds with cerebral palsy who participated in their study has a vision impairment. It may be possible to improve their vision with glasses, surgery, therapy to address problems with the eye muscles, or other treatment.
Hearing loss is also a concern in many children who experienced birth asphyxia and oxygen deprivation. Hearing aids, cochlear implants, speech therapy, and sign language classes can help them adapt to and overcome this challenge.
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Potential Outcomes for Babies Who Experience a Deprivation of Oxygen
While serious medical conditions and other complications are the long-term effects of oxygen deprivation, many of these children have a positive outcome. There are numerous possibilities for your child’s future, and even children with identical conditions may have very different needs and prognoses.
Some oxygen deprivation-related conditions are treatable or manageable. This includes some types of epilepsy, tremors from cerebral palsy, vision loss and hearing loss, ADHD, and other types of organ damage.
In other cases, early intervention, therapies, and additional support can help a child adapt to their challenges and overcome them. Physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy often can help children with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and developmental delays keep up with their peers and learn alongside them in a mainstream classroom.
However, for some children, their complications and conditions have a much more severe effect on their everyday life. They may not be able to physically or intellectually gain the skills to live independently or manage their own self-care needs. These children will need ongoing care and support, both at home and in school.
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Pursuing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in Your State
If your child was a victim of oxygen deprivation and now faces treatment, therapy, and other care for the long-term effects of their birth injury, your family may have a valid malpractice case. You might be able to hold the doctor, hospital, or another party accountable for the pain and suffering your child must endure as well as the expenses you have faced and will continue to face as a result.
It may be possible to recover a settlement or other financial recovery that includes your current and future losses such as:
- Your child’s medical bills
- Your family’s ongoing care cost
- The pay you lost from taking time away from work for your child’s care
- Expenses you paid out of pocket
- Pain and suffering your child experienced
- Other intangible damages
Medical malpractice law firms handle these cases based on contingency fees.
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Contact Our Office if Your Child Is Suffering Long-Term Effects of Oxygen Deprivation
You can get help and learn more about your case today. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529. We offer complimentary case reviews for families whose child suffered oxygen deprivation before, during, or after delivery.
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