A recent study concluded that infant head-size may be a risk factor for sustaining brain damage during birth, and increasing the risk of developing cerebral palsy. According to the study, infants with a head circumference greater than the 90th percentile are more likely to sustain a birth injury such as a brain damage.
One of the authors noted, an "excessive risk for white matter brain damage exists when head circumference is large and a difficult or prolonged labor occurs." Cerebral palsy, a neurological condition, is commonly associated with brain injury occurring at birth.
Symptoms of cerebral palsy include an infant/baby missing milestones, impairment of muscle tone, fine and gross motor difficulties, and potential oral issues including feeding difficulties and speech impairment.
As risk factors - such as head circumference size - are identified that are linked to specific birth injuries, it is crucial that those providing prenatal care take steps to determine the existence of these factors in a mother or her child. The failure to take steps to reduce potential risks may constitute medical negligence.
For more information or if you believe that your child was harmed due to a medical error, please contact the experienced California birth injury lawyers at Bostwick Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.