Jaundice Can Be A Serious Risk For Birth Injury

January 23, 2013

While the process of childbirth is often completed with no problems, complications can arise in certain situations that can leave an infant with Birth Injuries that can affect them the rest of their lives. An article from the American Liver Foundation recently highlighted one of these risks, known as jaundice.

Jaundice is a condition in which the compound bilirubin has built up in an infant’s bloodstream and cannot be eliminated. Bilirubin comes from the bodies attempt to rid itself of dead blood cells and is typically handled by the liver an digestive systems; however, infants are sometimes not developed enough to clear the bilirubin from their systems.

While Jaundice is fairly common among newborns, with between 60 and 80 percent of infants experiencing the condition, if untreated the results can be devastating.

The inability to clear bilirubin can become toxic to the child if left untreated and can result in brain damage, hearing loss, intellectual impairment, uncontrollable body movements, and a constant upward gaze.

Risks that may cause a child to develop Jaundice include not having the same blood type as the mother, a mother suffering from Diabetes, swallowing blood at birth, and bruising during the birth process.

The Ohio Personal Injury Lawyers with Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy have a vast understanding of the laws regulating hospitals that preform child birth procedures and are available anytime to discuss your legal rights if your loved one was injured during childbirth.

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