Every year, about 30,000 babies born in the United States sustain a birth injury. If your child experienced an injury during the birthing process, this statistic is crucial to know. It can be easy to feel as though you are alone, but their prevalence proves that you are not. Children with birth injuries may be a minority, but they are surprisingly common on a national scale. Here are a few more birth injury statistics worth knowing.
More Common in Rural Areas
If you live in or near a major city, the odds of your child sustaining a birth injury decrease by as much as 33%. This is likely due to the higher standard of medical care that tends to available in major metropolitan areas. Still, even doctors at elite medical institutions are not immune from making mistakes or even malpractice.
Leading Cause of Infant Mortality
Infant mortality refers to the death of children under 1 year of age. An unfortunate reality about birth injuries is that they are directly or indirectly responsible for 20% of infant fatalities. They are the fourth leading cause, behind low weight, sudden infant death syndrome, and congenital issues. Still, the overwhelming majority of birth injuries are non-fatal.
Typically Caused by Tools
The majority of birth injuries occur during tool-assisted deliveries. The rate of birth injury is as much as 30% higher when tools such as forceps are involved. Obviously, these tools should assist with the birthing process, but all too often they cause lasting harm. A typical example is when a negligent medical professional yanks too hard using forceps, causing a bone fracture. Overall, one of the best ways to reduce the risk of birth injury is through cesarean section.
Most Common Categories
Reviewing birth injury statistics, we can determine which forms of injury occur most commonly. The aforementioned bone fractures or even breakages make up a significant portion of birth injuries nationwide. Up next is nerve damage, which tends to occur in the event of a particularly lengthy or strenuous delivery. Most commonly, this takes the form of a brachial plexus injury. A third leading cause of birth complications is brain injury, which can occur when blood and oxygen are cut off to the child’s brain.
But the types of birth injury do not end there. Here are a few other categories that dominate the statistics:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cerebral palsy
- Facial paralysis
- Cephalohematoma
As a parent, it can be exceptionally difficult to come to terms with your child sustaining a birth injury. This pain can be amplified by the knowledge that your child’s suffering was the direct result of a medical professional’s negligence. A lawsuit can help cover the financial and psychological costs of a birth injury. The experienced medical malpractice professionals at Snyder Law Group are here to help.
Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents, and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts settlements*. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, for more information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.