Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy in Infants
Sam Uribe. Author
Infant Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain damage resulting from a lack of oxygen at birth and a lack of blood to the infant’s brain. Generally, oxygen deprivation occurs in the period just before birth, during labor and delivery or just after birth.
HIE requires immediate intervention. Each year, HIE contributes to more than 800,000 neonatal deaths across the world. For infants who survive, HIE can result in long-term medical consequences, such as:
As you can see, HIE newborn dangers include very serious and long-term medical conditions.
What Causes Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy?
There are a variety of potential causes of HIE. Oxygen deprivation, in general, can occur just before delivery, during delivery or shortly after delivery. The causes of HIE often depend on what is happening during these times, including the progress of labor and the health of the mother and infant.
The following graphic identifies helpful information about HIE, including some of the more common causes and statistics about the disorder:
HIE is Often Preventable
While there are several causes of HIE, you should know that HIE is often preventable. Oxygen deprivation and resulting HIE is often the result of a medical condition that healthcare providers mismanage or miss altogether during pregnancy, labor and delivery or shortly thereafter.
If a healthcare provider is negligent in providing care and you and/or your infant are injured as a result, you should contact a birth injury lawyer as soon as possible. You may have grounds to file a birth injury lawsuit.
At Birth Injury Guide, our legal team has handled numerous birth injury lawsuits, including many cases involving HIE. We can help you determine if your child’s injury was the result of medical negligence. If so, we can help you protect your rights and seek justice for your child. Request a free consultation with one of our lawyers by calling 1-877-415-6603.
Sam Uribe is a researcher and writer. She lends her expertise to the team at Birth Injury Guide to provide up-to-date and relevant content that clients can count on.