Recognizing Potential Signs of a Birth Injury
Early motor skill development is an essential milestone for every baby. These skills—like lifting their head, grasping objects, sitting, crawling, and eventually walking—form the foundation for their physical growth and independence. While every child develops at their own pace, noticeable delays or patterns of unusual motor skills development can sometimes indicate an underlying issue, including birth injuries caused by medical negligence.
At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we understand how alarming it can be for parents to notice delays or abnormalities in their child’s motor skills. Our goal is to empower families with knowledge, support, and legal guidance when medical malpractice may be the cause of their child’s challenges.
What Are Motor Skills?
Motor skills are divided into two categories:
- Gross Motor Skills involve large muscle movements, such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking.
- Fine Motor Skills require smaller, more precise movements, such as grasping objects (i.e, a spoon while eating), pointing, and manipulating toys.
Healthy motor skill development follows a predictable progression, with most babies reaching certain milestones within specific age ranges. When a child’s development falls outside these ranges, it could be a sign of an injury to the nervous system that occurred during childbirth or other neurological condition.
Signs of Unusual Motor Skills Development
The following signs may indicate that a child’s motor skill development is not progressing as expected:
- Delayed Milestones: Missing key milestones, such as holding up their head by 3–4 months, sitting without support by 6–8 months, or walking by 18 months.
- Stiff or Floppy Muscles: Excessive muscle tightness (hypertonia) or weakness (hypotonia) can interfere with motor skills.
- Asymmetry in Movement: Favoring one side of the body, such as always reaching with one hand or dragging one leg while crawling.
- Uncontrolled Movements: Involuntary movements, such as jerking or writhing, can signal neurological issues.
- Difficulty with Coordination: Struggles with tasks like grasping objects, transferring items between hands, or clapping.
These signs may not always indicate a severe issue, but they warrant further evaluation to rule out underlying conditions.
Birth Injuries That Can Affect Motor Skills
Some birth injuries resulting from medical negligence can lead to delays or abnormalities in motor skill development:
- Cerebral Palsy: Often caused by oxygen deprivation during birth, cerebral palsy affects muscle tone, movement, and coordination.
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): A type of brain damage caused by insufficient oxygen (hypoxia) or blood flow, which can disrupt motor control.
- Nerve Injuries: Brachial plexus injuries, such as Erb’s palsy, can limit movement in the arms or shoulders.
- Intracranial Hemorrhage (Brain Bleed): Damage from brain bleeds can impact the parts of the brain responsible for motor skills.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Trauma to the spinal cord during delivery can result in motor impairments or paralysis.
These injuries are often preventable when the mother receives proper prenatal care, monitoring during labor, and timely medical interventions.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If you notice delays or abnormalities in your child’s motor skill development, it’s essential to consult a pediatrician or specialist. A thorough evaluation may include:
- Developmental Assessments: Tracking your child’s milestones to identify potential delays.
- Neurological Exams: Checking muscle tone, reflexes, and coordination for signs of brain or nerve damage.
- Imaging Tests: Using MRIs or CT scans to identify structural abnormalities in the brain or spinal cord.
- Early Intervention Services: Therapies such as physical or occupational therapy can help improve outcomes for children with motor skill challenges.
The sooner an issue is identified, the better the chances of minimizing its long-term impact on your child’s development.
Deciphering Causes of Atypical Motor Skills Development in Birth Injuries
The genesis of unusual motor skills development in newborns often traces back to birth-related traumas. A child’s journey through childbirth is delicate, with the potential for motor skills to be impacted by various factors during this critical time.
Relationship Between Childbirth and Motor Skills Development
The process of childbirth is closely linked to the neural development necessary for motor skills. Delicate neural pathways forged during delivery will guide a child’s future motor abilities. Faced with childbirth complications, these pathways may be compromised, leading to aberrant motor skills development.
How Birth Injuries Can Lead to Motor Skills Issues
As labor and delivery introduce considerable stress on an infant, birth injuries occurring during this period can precipitate a cascade of issues, particularly in motor skills. Abrupt or improper handling can result in physical harm to the infant’s delicate muscular and nervous systems, thus disrupting motor function.
Brain Injury During Birth: A Significant Factor
Oxygen deprivation or trauma to the head during delivery can result in a brain injury, which ranks among the most consequential factors for motor skills deficits. Brain injuries bear a direct correlation with the function and coordination of muscles, both of which are foundational to motor skills. This type of injury can manifest as cerebral palsy, characterized by an impaired ability to move and maintain balance and posture.
Medical Complications That Can Result in Birth Injuries Affecting Motor Skills
Certain medical complications during childbirth contribute to the risk of a birth injury. For example, premature birth can leave infants more vulnerable to developing motor skills issues due to underdeveloped body systems. Additionally, complications such as issues with the umbilical cord, labor that is too long or short, and breech deliveries are all factors that can lead to injuries affecting an infant’s motor skills development.
How Medical Malpractice Can Contribute to Birth Injuries
Medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery can significantly increase the risk of birth injuries that affect motor skills. Common examples of malpractice include:
- Failing to recognize or respond to signs and symptoms of fetal distress.
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery.
- Delayed decision-making, such as not performing a necessary C-section.
- Mismanagement of high-risk pregnancies or complications like an infection, preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.
- Inadequate monitoring of oxygen levels during labor.
When these mistakes lead to preventable birth injuries, families have the right to pursue justice and compensation.
Supporting Your Child’s Future
Parenting a child with motor skill challenges can feel overwhelming, but there are resources and therapies available to help your child thrive. Early intervention programs, specialized therapies, and assistive devices can significantly improve your child’s quality of life.
At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we also recognize the financial strain that medical treatments and physical therapy appointments can place on families. If your child’s condition was caused by medical negligence, our experienced attorneys are here to help you seek compensation for medical expenses, future care needs, and other damages.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you believe your child’s unusual motor skill development may be linked to a birth injury, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our compassionate team is dedicated to helping families understand their legal options and secure the resources they need to build a brighter future.
Contact Van Wey, Metzler & Williams today for a free consultation. Together, we can advocate for your child and hold negligent physicians and other medical providers accountable.
At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we fight for families impacted by medical negligence, ensuring they have the support and justice they deserve.
