Infant Seizures Caused by Medical Malpractice
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects millions of people around the world. When a child develops epilepsy as a result of a medical provider's mistake during, before, or after labor and delivery, parents may be left feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and unsure of where to turn. At Cullan & Cullan, we have a team of lawyers who are also doctors.s. Our unique backgrounds and insight can empower you to take legal action against the medical provider that caused your child’s epilepsy or seizure disorder. Make us your first choice when you want to seek justice and secure the compensation you need to provide the care your child deserves.
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Different Types of Infant Seizures
Infant or newborn seizures can take several forms, such as:
- Partial: A partial seizure is caused when an incorrect electrical discharge originates on one side of the brain. A simple partial seizure does not render the baby unconscious but does cause stiff or jerky movements. A complex partial seizure is characterized by unusual behaviors or movements, like rapid eye movements or blinking, not necessarily jerky or spastic motions.
- Absence seizures: Also called petit mal seizures, absence seizures cause brief unconsciousness and may occur several times in a row. An infant suffering an absence seizure may look conscious but be fully unaware of the surroundings and stimuli.
- Tonic-clonic seizures: Also called grand mal seizures, tonic-clonic seizures can affect an infant’s entire body and cause unconsciousness. Breathing difficulties may occur due to the loss of diaphragm control, requiring emergency medical attention.
- Infantile seizures: An infantile myoclonic seizure affects one or more muscle groups, usually very briefly and suddenly. Typically, this type of seizure will cause a newborn to suddenly drop their head or flex their legs or arms. Multiple seizures can occur in a day.
How is Infant Epilepsy Caused by Medical Errors?
Medical errors during labor and delivery can cause a variety of birth injuries, including those that can lead to infant epilepsy. One common cause of epilepsy in newborns is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a type of brain damage that can occur when an infant's brain is deprived of oxygen for too long during delivery. HIE can be caused by a number of factors, including a prolonged or difficult delivery, failure to monitor the fetal heart rate properly, or improper use of tools like forceps or vacuums. In some cases, medical malpractice such as delayed C-section or using too much force on the baby during delivery can also lead to HIE and subsequent epilepsy. Other types of birth injuries, such as head trauma or infections, can also cause epilepsy in infants.
Are There Treatments for Infant Epilepsy?
Treating infant epilepsy can be a long and expensive process. In many cases, parents may need to seek compensation through a birth injury lawsuit to cover the costs of ongoing medical care, therapy, and other necessary expenses. While every case is different, there are several treatments and therapies that may be recommended for infants with epilepsy. Our Kansas City infant epilepsy attorneys are ready to fight for full compensation, so your child can get whatever treatments are needed.
Possible treatments or therapies for infants and children with epilepsy are:
- Anticonvulsant medication: Medications that help control seizures are often the first line of treatment for infants with epilepsy. Anticonvulsant medications work by stabilizing the neurons in the brain and preventing them from firing uncontrollably, which can trigger seizures. There are many different types of anticonvulsant medications available, and the right one will depend on the type of epilepsy the infant has and their individual medical needs.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be recommended to try to reroute brain anatomy or brain signals responsible for triggering seizures. This is typically only considered if the seizures are severe and cannot be controlled with medication or other therapies. Surgery can be a complex and risky procedure, and it's important for parents to discuss all the potential risks and benefits with their child's medical team before making any decisions.
- Ketogenic diet: For young children who do not respond well to medication, a ketogenic diet may be recommended. This high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet is designed to mimic the effects of fasting, which has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in some children. While the ketogenic diet can be effective for some children with epilepsy, it requires close supervision by a medical professional and strict adherence to a specific meal plan.
Let Us Help You Explore Your Legal Options
At Cullan & Cullan, we understand how stressful and overwhelming it can be to care for an infant with epilepsy. If your child's condition was caused by a medical error during labor and delivery, you may be able to demand compensation to cover the costs of ongoing medical care, therapy, and other necessary expenses. Our experienced Kansas City infant epilepsy attorneys are here to help you navigate the legal process while using our backgrounds as medical doctors to focus on the most important details and build strong arguments. Let our medical expertise make the difference you need to pursue justice for your child by hiring our firm today.
Contact us todayto schedule a consultation and learn more about your legal options.