Birth Injury Signs & Symptoms Parents Need to Know

There can be several signs of birth injury that new parents need to be aware of, especially if the birth was traumatic or if your child is exhibiting symptoms of harm.

Some newborn issues are minor. Bruising, swelling, feeding struggles, and fussiness may all improve with time and medical support. Other signs of birth injury, however, need prompt attention. It is these symptoms that can be an indication of serious, sometimes life-threatening, and often permanent injuries. A Denver birth injury lawyer can determine whether you have grounds for legal action.

What Is a Birth Injury?

A birth injury is harm that occurs before, during, or shortly after delivery. These injuries typically happen when medical professionals fail to recognize problems, respond to fetal distress, perform a timely C-section, use delivery tools properly, or provide appropriate newborn care.

Birth injuries can range from mild to life-changing. Some babies recover fully. Others may need therapy, medication, surgery, special education, or long-term medical care.

Swift intervention may help to reduce long-term complications. This makes it important that parents know the signs of birth injury that may require attention.

Do You Need Help? Talk to a Denver Birth Injury Attorney for Free

If your child is exhibiting signs of birth injury and you are concerned about their future, call Burg Simpson at 303-792-5595 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. We can help you understand your rights and your options, and guide you toward the next best steps to secure the compensation your child and family will need to build the best future.

Birth Injury Signs Parents May Notice Right Away

Some signs of birth injury may be visible in the delivery room, nursery, or NICU. Call your baby’s doctor or seek emergency care if your newborn has:

• Trouble breathing
• Blue, pale, or gray skin
• Seizures or excessive shaking
• A weak cry or no cry at all
• Extreme sleepiness
• Poor feeding
• Trouble sucking or swallowing
• Limpness
• Unusual stiffness
• Abnormal eye movement
• Swelling, bruising, or bleeding of the head
• Little to no movement in one arm or leg
• A weak grip on one side
• An arched back or unusual posture

One symptom does not mean a baby has suffered an injury. Newborns can have temporary symptoms for many reasons. Still, serious signs should not be brushed off.

Signs of Birth Injury That May Appear After You Leave the Hospital

Not every birth injury is obvious right away. Parents may notice changes days or weeks after going home.

Watch for:

• Feeding problems that do not improve
• Repeated vomiting
• Poor weight gain
• Excessive drooling
• A very high-pitched cry
• Constant irritability
• Muscle tightness
• Floppiness
• One side of the body moving differently
• Delayed eye tracking
• Trouble turning the head
• A baby who seems unusually hard to comfort
• A baby who seems unusually hard to wake

You know your baby. If something seems wrong, write it down. Take photos or videos if your baby is making unusual movements. Be specific when you talk to the doctor.

Developmental Delays Can Also Be a Birth Injury Warning Sign

Some birth injury symptoms remain undiagnosed until a child starts missing developmental milestones. This is especially true for certain brain injuries and conditions such as cerebral palsy.

Possible signs of birth injury as your child develops include:

• Not lifting the head as expected
• Not rolling over
• Not reaching for toys
• Not sitting, crawling, standing, or walking
• Stiff arms or legs
• Floppy muscles
• Tight legs that cross or scissor
• Using one hand much more than the other
• Poor coordination
• Delays in speech, babbling, or interaction

Bear in mind, a missed milestone does not automatically mean a child has a birth injury. Children develop at different speeds. However, repeated delays, uneven movement, regression, or unusual muscle tone should be discussed with a pediatrician.

A Closer Look at Symptoms of the Most Common Types of Birth Injury

For most signs of birth injury, the symptoms depend on the type of harm sustained. Some of the most common types of birth injury and their symptoms include:

Brain Injury and HIE

Possible signs of brain injury or HIE include:

• Trouble breathing at birth
• Seizures
• Poor muscle tone
• Need for resuscitation
• Need for NICU care
• Feeding problems
• Movement problems

Some babies with HIE require neonatal cooling, also known as therapeutic hypothermia. If your baby needed neonatal cooling, ask your doctors why.

Cerebral Palsy

Possible signs of cerebral palsy include:

• Delayed rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, or walking
• Stiff muscles
• Floppy muscles
• Poor coordination
• Unusual posture
• Trouble feeding
• Tight legs
• One side of the body is weaker than the other

Because developmental delays are a primary symptom of cerebral palsy, the condition is often diagnosed later in infancy or even childhood. Any signs of cerebral palsy should be brought to the immediate attention of your child’s pediatrician.

Brachial Plexus Injury and Erb’s Palsy

Possible signs of a brachial plexus injury include:

• One arm hangs limp
• Limited shoulder or arm movement
• Weak grip
• One arm turns inward
• The baby moves one arm more than the other
• Weak or absent reflexes on one side

Early intervention can help to improve outcomes. These symptoms should be evaluated by a qualified pediatrician as soon as possible.

Bone, Skull, and Soft Tissue Injuries

Warning signs of fractures and other physical trauma during delivery may include:

• Significant bruising
• Swelling on the head
• A Lump on the scalp
• Crying when touched or moved
• Limited movement
• Tenderness
• Signs of pain

While these symptoms may be temporary, they should be evaluated by a medical professional if they persist.

What to Track If You Suspect Your Child Has Been Injured

If you notice signs of birth injury, start keeping a simple record to track:

• Symptoms you notice
• When symptoms started
• Whether symptoms are getting worse
• Feeding problems
• Sleep changes
• Unusual crying
• Movement differences

Save discharge papers, NICU records, test results, and written instructions. Save specialist referrals, therapy recommendations, and possible diagnoses mentioned by providers. These things can be very useful should you need to take legal action to seek compensation for your baby’s injury.

When Birth Injury Signs Raise Legal Questions

Labor and delivery can be complicated. Not every bad outcome means a doctor, nurse, hospital, or medical provider did something wrong. However, when a child shows signs of a serious birth injury, parents deserve clear answers about what happened and why.

Questions about who can be held liable for birth injury damages may arise when there were problems during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or newborn care that were not handled properly.

This can include:

• Signs of fetal distress
• Oxygen problems
• Delayed C-section
• Shoulder dystocia
• Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction
• Failure to monitor

Questions may also arise if your baby needed unexpected NICU care, resuscitation, neonatal cooling, or urgent treatment after birth.

Medical malpractice claims require careful review of the medical records, the decisions made by providers, and whether different care could have prevented your baby’s injuries. This is where experience matters.

At Burg Simpson, our birth injury attorneys help families get answers. We know how much is at stake when a child’s health, development, and future are on the line. Our team has the resources to investigate complex medical issues, work with qualified experts, and fight for the care, treatment, therapy, and long-term support your child may need.

Talk to a Denver Birth Injury Attorney for Free

To schedule a free and confidential case review with one of our compassionate lawyers, use our online contact form or call our Denver office today. Founded in Denver more than 50 years ago, Burg Simpson helps families across Colorado seek compensation following birth injuries and other types of medical malpractice.