Fetal & Neonatal Stroke

For many years it was assumed that fetal or neonatal strokes were not preventable. Recent studies, however, have shown that some strokes suffered in the fetal time period are due to preventable hypoxic ischemic episodes (an inadequate supply of oxygen to the brain) during labour.

A brain injury can result directly from a hypoxic ischemic episode. These injuries usually affect both sides of the baby’s brain as the hypoxia and ischemia affect the blood supply to the entire baby. A stroke, however, usually affects only one side of the brain. A stroke can be caused by a blockage of the blood flow through a blood vessel or by a bleed from the blood vessel. The blood vessel can be a vein or an artery.

The challenge that obstetrical lawyers face is to identify which strokes were inevitable and which were preventable. This is an emerging area and requires a careful analysis of the MRI / CT brain imaging and a careful analysis of the clinical records to determine if there was evidence of a hypoxic ischemic episode. The opinion evidence of pediatric neurologists is essential. Leading obstetrical lawyers are familiar with the emerging literature and have the experience to analyze the records and retain the best qualified experts to determine if a possible claim exists.

Search bila.ca

Sign-up and get notified every time we post!

Canadian Birth Injury Law Blog

HIE: The First Year

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of birth injury that happens when a newborn’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen due to decreased blood flow. The consequences of HIE depends on the severity of the diagnosis. Mild HIE cases can result in little or no long term impact. A diagnosis of moderate HIE can mean […]

Alberta to Begin Screening Newborns for Four New Conditions

Alberta Health Services officially introduced the screening for four new metabolic health conditions for every newborn child starting in late May, and the impact of these new tests were almost immediate felt through the diagnosis of a baby boy with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) in early July. The boy’s name is Hudson Cowie, and he […]

Activities for Children with Disabilities in Canada

A non-profit organization known as ParticipACTION conducted a survey in 2018 based on the physical activity of Canada’s youth and the overall grade Canadian students received was a D+. The report card grade is a call to action for all young Canadians to get moving, and for the very first time, this report draws attention […]

DD v Wong Estate, 2019 ABQB 171

On March 11, 2019 the Honourable Mr. Justice W.N. Renke released his decision in DD v Wong Estate, 2019 ABQB 171. Weir Bowen lawyers Joseph Miller Q.C., Shelagh McGregor, and Ian Miller represented the Plaintiff LL, a growth-restricted infant who was born with a catastrophic brain injury. Damages were agreed upon prior to trial and the […]

Information about Birth Injury Childcare

Children who endure birth injuries will often have an array of disabilities that will last over the course of their lifetime. These disabilities may include cerebral palsy, in which a child has physical and cognitive disabilities therapy, treatment and lifelong care. Some birth injuries will only affect one specific area, for instance a mental impairment or […]