Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy / HIE

Dallas HIE Attorneys

Is Your Baby Suffering From Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy? Call (214) 307-6307

Infant hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a terrible birth injury that affects approximately 2 out of every 1,000 full term births[1]. HIE is one of the leading causes of cerebral palsy and infant fatalities in the United States, and can result in permanent neurodevelopmental impairments and brain damage.

The Dallas HIE attorneys at Aldous / Walker are prepared to fight for you like you’re a member of our own family. We know just how difficult and stressful this can be for everyone involved, and will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.

Tell us all about your case by filling out the form on our website.

What is HIE?

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE, is the combination of a lack of oxygen (hypoxic) and reduced blood flow (ischemic) to the infant's brain and other organs that occurs before, during, or after the birth of the baby. Babies who experience HIE can suffer from lifelong physical and mental impairments.

What Causes HIE?

HIE can be caused by a variety of complications during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and once the infant is born.

During Pregnancy

  • Alcohol and/or drug abuse
  • Cardiac disease
  • Congenital infections affecting the fetus
  • Lack of proper blood circulation to the placenta
  • Malformed lungs
  • Preeclampsia
  • Vascular disease resulting from maternal diabetes
  • Severe fetal anemia

During Delivery

After Birth

  • Congenital brain malformations
  • Dangerously low neonatal blood pressure
  • Head trauma
  • Infections like meningitis and sepsis
  • Premature birth
  • Severe pulmonary or cardiac disease

Did Your Doctor Fail to Diagnose & Treat HIE?

Not every cause of HIE is directly related to medical malpractice, but when your doctor's or nurse's negligence harmed your baby, you deserve justice!

It’s your doctor’s responsibility to properly monitor your infant during and after the labor and delivery process to make sure that no unexpected complications arise.

Failure to address any of the following complications during birth can lead to HIE:

  • Low infant heart rate and other vital signs
  • Baby stuck too long in the birth canal
  • Babies born breech or in other dangerous positions
  • Umbilical cord that is prolapsed or wrapped too tightly around the baby's neck
  • Trauma to the baby's trachea that cuts off oxygen
Our experienced Dallas HIE lawyers can investigate your case and determine if medical negligence was the cause of your child's injury.

What are the Symptoms of HIE?

Early diagnosis of HIE is crucial to limiting the extent of the damage done to the baby's brain and vital organs. Doctors have a variety of treatment options available to them when they detect hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, but if the doctor failed to diagnose the issue in time there’s only so much they can do.

Signs and symptoms of HIE can include any of the following:

  • Seizures
  • Difficulty feeding
  • Problems breathing
  • Organ failure
  • Abnormal response to light
  • Hyperalertness or lethargy
  • Low Apgar scores
  • Coma
If your baby was diagnosed with HIE, they may suffer these symptoms and other conditions for the rest of their lives. The medical bills alone can be too much for any family to handle, let alone the emotional trauma of watching your baby suffer. A Dallas HIE lawyer from Aldous / Walker can fight for the compensation your child needs in order to live a full life!

Call us today at (214) 307-6307, or by filling out our online form to tell us all about your case.