April is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Awareness Month: 5 Facts About HIE
April is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Awareness Month: 5 Facts About HIE
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, also known as HIE, is condition caused by a brain injury that occurs when oxygen or blood flow is restricted to the brain during labor or delivery. The month of April is HIE Awareness Month, aiming to raise awareness and spread support for families affected by HIE.
April is HIE Awareness Month, and HIE Awareness Day is observed every April 4th. To show our support, G&E’s birth injury team is sharing some information to help spread awareness of the condition and to support families who have been impacted by HIE.
1. HIE stands for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, but what does that mean?
Although the name is lengthy, when looking at each word’s meaning, it helps us understand the definition and what the condition actually is. “Hypoxic” refers to the shortage of oxygen, “Ischemic” relates to lack of oxygen getting to the blood, and “Encephalopathy” refers to the result of brain damage. So, Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy is brain damage that occurs due to a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the brain.
2. HIE may be caused my medical negligence during labor or delivery.
There are many different causes of HIE, but sometimes this form of brain cell damage may occur when there are complications during labor and delivery. It can also stem from maternal health problems, like infections or low blood pressure, which can restrict blood and oxygen flow to the baby’s brain. When medical professionals fail to monitor the mother or baby correctly or respond to signs of distress in a timely manner, HIE may result. If this occurs, it is important to contact a lawyer to see if you have a medical malpractice claim.
3. There are several signs and symptoms of HIE you should know.
It may be hard to identify this condition in an infant; however, there are several signs to look out for that may indicate a brain injury. Understanding some of the signs and symptoms of HIE may help with early intervention. These include but are not limited to:
- Inability to cry or excessive crying
- Seizures
- Weak muscle tone
- Excessive sleepiness
- Absence of reflexes
- Breathing difficulties or trouble maintaining body temperature
- Immediate need for resuscitation
- Low APGAR scores
- Abnormal heart rate or blood pressure
- Organ dysfunction
- Vision or hearing impairments
4. HIE is one of the common causes for developmental delays, including cerebral palsy.
HIE affects 1-2 per 1,000 births in developed countries, and as many as 40% of children diagnosed with HIE will also be later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. When blood and oxygen flow are cut off to the brain, cellular damage results. The severity of the brain damage typically depends on the amount of time the baby’s brain was deprived of oxygen. When a child experiences HIE at birth, this can lead to cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or cognitive and/or motor impairment.
5. There is no cure for HIE, however there are many forms of therapies and treatments.
While there is no “cure” for HIE, hypothermia, or cooling therapy, may help to slow down the metabolism in the brain and reduce the severity of the injury. To be most effective, cooling therapy should typically be administered within six hours of birth. Lowering the infant’s brain and body temperature slows down the demand for oxygen, and helps protect the healthy cells that were not injured during the hypoxic damage. This type of therapeutic hypothermia is now recognized as the standard of care for infants with HIE.
Therapies and treatments can be costly and create financial strain for families whose children are affected by HIE. When HIE is caused by medical negligence, you may have legal options to file a claim against the medical institution or care provider for their errors, which may help you obtain the financial resources your family deserves. That’s why it is important to contact an attorney right away after an HIE diagnosis from a traumatic or difficult birth.
If you believe your child experienced a brain injury or HIE at birth as a result of medical negligence during the labor or delivery process, reach out to legal team today.