A neonatal birth injury is any type of impairment that affects a newborn’s body function or structure that can be attributed to an adverse event during or following labour and delivery. Birth injuries of this kind can range from mild, which heal quickly on their own, to more serious injuries that cause serious and permanent damage to the newborn. Specific neonatal birth injuries include:
- Mismanaged Breathing Problems that cause Cerebral Palsy, Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), Periventricular Leukomalacia & Retinopathy of Prematurity
- Elevated Bilirubin, Jaundice, and Kernicterus
- Encephalitis
- Hydrocephalus
- Infection and Meningitis
- Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
- Neonatal Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)
- Overventilation and Hypocarbia
- Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL)
- Sepsis
- Stroke During or Near the Time of Delivery
- Seizures