What Is a Neonatal Stroke?

While expectant mothers often have countless concerns leading to childbirth, rarely does any mom-to-be anticipate the possibility of a stroke in their newborn. While strokes are typically associated with older adults, they can also occur in newborns. A stroke can occur before or after a child’s birth. A neonatal stroke happens when there is a blood flow disruption to the baby’s brain, leading to potential complications if not promptly addressed. Sadly, in some instances, a neonatal stroke is unpreventable. However, if medical negligence plays a role in your baby’s condition, you may have grounds to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit to seek compensation for medical expenses, long-term care, and emotional distress.

Understanding Neonatal Stroke

A neonatal stroke occurs between birth and 28 days of life. According to Boston’s Children’s Hospital, neonatal stroke affects approximately 1 in 2,500 full-term infants, with an even higher risk in premature babies. In some cases, strokes can develop in the womb before birth. Doctors typically identify neonatal stroke when a newborn exhibits seizures, weakness, or unresponsiveness. If a baby experiences a stroke before or soon after birth, the signs may not become apparent until much later when they have speech or balance difficulties. This can make early intervention difficult.

Symptoms and Causes of Neonatal Stroke

The most common symptom of neonatal stroke is seizures, which may appear within the first 24 hours after birth. Other symptoms include:

• Unusual drowsiness or extreme lethargy
• Weakness on one side of the body (hemiparesis)
• Feeding difficulties
• Periods where breathing stops temporarily (apnea)
• Developmental delays, including speech or balance issues, appearing months or years later

Neonatal stroke can occur due to different factors, depending on the type of stroke. There are two main types of neonatal strokes, namely:

1. Arterial Ischemic Stroke: This occurs when a blood clot or a structural abnormality blocks blood flow to the brain. Conditions such as Moyamoya disease, congenital heart defects, and certain clotting disorders can increase the risk.
2. Hemorrhagic Stroke: This happens when a blood vessel in the baby’s brain ruptures. Causes can include aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, or clotting disorders like hemophilia and sickle cell disease.

A stroke that occurs between 20 weeks of pregnancy and 28 days after birth is often referred to as a perinatal stroke. A perinatal stroke is particularly common within the first week of life and is usually linked to oxygen deprivation, prolonged labor, trauma, or complications such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Additionally, medical errors, including the improper handling of forceps or vacuum extraction, neglecting to monitor fetal distress, and delays in performing C-sections, can contribute to neonatal strokes.

Neonatal Stroke Medical Malpractice

Doctors have a duty to recognize and treat neonatal strokes promptly. Although immediate treatment cannot always reverse the damage, it can improve outcomes and potentially save the baby’s life. If a healthcare provider fails to take appropriate action, their negligence may constitute medical malpractice. Negligence may take the form of failing to recognize signs of stroke, mismanaging labor and delivery, or failing to provide necessary treatment.

If you suspect that medical negligence contributed to your baby’s stroke, it’s crucial to act quickly. Start by documenting your baby’s symptoms, treatments, and unusual events during labor and delivery. Gather medical records, test results, and billing statements to support your case. Next, consult an experienced birth injury lawyer for expert legal guidance.

Legal Help Is Available

If your child suffered a neonatal stroke due to medical negligence, contact our experienced Towson medical malpractice lawyer at Hardball Law, serving Towson, Baltimore, and throughout Maryland, to discuss your case.