Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and cerebral palsy causation can be a confusing topic, but it’s one that an unfortunately high number of parents find themselves researching after a newborn child is injured by medical malpractice. Everyday folks with no medical training can find it challenging to untangle the links between HIE and cerebral palsy, separate science from speculation, and, perhaps most consequentially, understand where legal liability lies.
Before you hire a cerebral palsy attorney to pursue a medical malpractice case on behalf of your injured child, you may feel the need to learn a bit more about encephalopathy and cerebral palsy. Laws regarding malpractice may also be on your list of topics to become more familiar with.
While taking steps to empower yourself with information is important, you should also be cautious not to get so wrapped up in learning about medical conditions and legal processes that you fail to actually take action and seek justice in court.
In these complicated, stressful, and high-stakes situations, it’s often better to let a highly skilled cerebral palsy attorney at a firm like Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, take the lead so that you can focus more of your attention on what matters most, which is being there for your family in this difficult time.
Understanding Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy and Cerebral Palsy Causation
The first step in understanding the causal link between HIE and cerebral palsy is becoming familiar with the definition of each term.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, often shortened to HIE, is a type of brain injury that results from insufficient blood flow and oxygen. The cumbersome name for this injury comes from the medical terms for the two aforementioned issues, with “hypoxia” being the name for oxygen deprivation, and “ischemia” referring to a restriction in blood flow. HIE affects one to six of every 1,000 births.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is not a specific disease, but rather a group of related disorders that can affect things like physical strength, posture, muscle control, and brain development. Symptoms usually appear during infancy or in the early years of childhood, ranging from perpetually sore muscles to uncontrollable involuntary movements to cognitive delays. While they don’t typically worsen over time, they can be quite serious in many cases.
Because cerebral palsy refers to a spectrum of different disorders and interrelated systems rather than a single, self-contained medical issue, the symptoms can vary widely from case to case.
Some of the other common symptoms of cerebral palsy include:
- “Floppy” posture or movement
- Exaggerated reflexes and gestures
- Stiff or spastic muscles
- Staggering walk or difficulty walking at all
- Vision problems, especially focusing the eyes
- Difficulty swallowing foods and liquids
- Seizures or other signs of epilepsy
- Blindness or deafness in some extreme cases
The Causality
HIE, if severe enough, will cause permanent damage to the brain, with groups of healthy brain cells essentially dying from oxygen deprivation and turning to lesions. When these lesions occur in certain parts of the brain, they lead to cerebral palsy. In fact, over 14% of babies born with an HIE injury develop cerebral palsy, making HIE a leading cause of cerebral palsy.
Hire a Cerebral Palsy Attorney for Effective Representation and Guidance in Your HIE Cases
HIE cases can be complex, emotionally draining, and lengthy legal affairs. Even if it may seem like an open and shut case from your perspective, you need to gather the right evidence and testimony to tell your side of the story convincingly in court.
It is not just a matter of proving whether your baby’s HIE resulted in cerebral palsy. You must also prove that all of that initially stemmed from a medical provider failing to meet the standard of care expected of them.
FAQs About Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) and Cerebral Palsy Causation
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of HIE?
The signs and symptoms of HIE (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy) can vary from case to case, but some common ones include seizures, breathing problems, weak reflexes, or poor muscle tone. Hospitals can use tools like APGAR scores (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration) to determine whether a newborn is at risk for HIE and may need further testing.
Can a Baby Fully Recover From an HIE Incident?
Yes, a baby can potentially recover from an HIE incident, but this largely depends on what parts of the brain were damaged and to what extent. When HIE results in cerebral palsy, for example, the injury is considered to be neither reversible nor progressive.
While medications and other treatments can help improve a cerebral palsy patient’s quality of life, they will live with the same symptoms and challenges for the rest of their days, because cerebral palsy is currently incurable.
What Is the Life Expectancy of Someone With an HIE?
The life expectancy of someone who has suffered an HIE incident will vary a tremendous amount depending on how severe the HIE incident was, as well as a whole range of other factors. Many people recover from HIE and lead full, normal lives. For others, HIE results in permanent cerebral palsy, which can reduce quality of life and, in extreme cases, overall life expectancy.
What Part of the Brain Is Most Sensitive to Hypoxia?
Several parts of the brain can be affected by hypoxia and HIE, but one of the most sensitive areas is the motor cortex. When a lack of oxygen caused by HIE creates lesions in the motor cortex, this type of injury is permanent and will often result in cerebral palsy.
Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC – Michigan’s Trusted HIE and Cerebral Palsy Malpractice Team
If your family has been affected by a hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy incident where a lack of swift and appropriate intervention on the part of hospital staff may have resulted in cerebral palsy, you have legal options.
The medical malpractice team at Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, is well-versed in cases relating to all types of birth injuries, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Our team has over 40 years of experience representing clients in these cases, and we are dedicated to getting you results. Contact our Ann Arbor offices today to arrange a consultation.
