It is normal for a parent to wonder about the health of their newborn child. Some parents can worry that minor issues could actually be serious medical conditions under some circumstances. While it is important not to jump to conclusions regarding the health of your child, you should also be sure to act when you suspect that your child has suffered an injury. If your child was the victim of medical malpractice, consult with an experienced Miami attorney for skin abnormalities.
At the Law Offices of Prosper Shaked, we are determined to fight for children in Miami that were injured due to the negligence of a medical practitioner. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact the Law Offices of Prosper Shaked at (305) 694-2676. You can also contact the firm online.
Common Causes of Infant Skin Color Abnormalities
Generally, it is normal for a newborn to exhibit changes in skin color and even skin texture. However, a change of skin color or texture could also be a sign that a newborn has developed a medical condition that can seriously affect their health.
Awareness of common skin abnormalities can help a parent determine whether they should seek medical treatment when their child begins to experience changes in skin tone and texture. The following medical conditions can identify whether a child’s skin tone is indicative of a larger problem.
Anemia
A person is anemic if the number of red blood cells in their body is below the average amount for a healthy individual. As a result, a child may appear to grow pale in comparison to what their skin tone should look like. There are other indications that a child may be experiencing anemia:
- Frequently shifting body temperatures
- Unexplained fatigue
- Cravings for certain food
- Weakness
In some cases, anemia may be linked to a deficiency of folic acid. While folic acid can be administered to a child, a folic acid deficiency can be indicative of a larger issue.
Oxygen Deprivation
If a baby is experiencing oxygen deprivation, their skin will change to a blueish hue. This is typically an issue that occurs before, during, or after the delivery of the child. When a baby emerges from the womb with blue skin, a doctor should act quickly to get them the oxygen they need to survive.
Oxygen deprivation is a serious issue that could lead to serious medical conditions. For example, a child that experiences a loss of oxygen could experience brain damage or develop cerebral palsy.
A baby could experience oxygen deprivation because they became trapped in the birth canal or because their umbilical cord wrapped around their neck during delivery. It is the obligation of a doctor to inform a mother that a cesarean section would be a safer alternative to deliver a child.
Jaundice
Newborn jaundice is identified by a child having yellow skin or an orange hue to their skin. Many newborns experience jaundice because their body is not used to processing bilirubin as the mother’s body was doing the job for them.
If a child is experiencing other symptoms besides yellow skin, this may be a sign that their case of jaundice has developed into kernicterus. Kernicterus is a condition where a child’s body cannot process bilirubin, which causes the brain to flood with bilirubin. As a result, a child could experience seizures, protruding soft spots on the head, high-pitched crying, and many other symptoms.
Bruises
Bruises that occur during delivery could also be responsible for a change in skin color. There are a number of ways that a doctor could cause a child to suffer a bruise during a delivery. For example, misusing birth-assisting instruments can result in a bruising injury.
Generally, there are two types of birth-assisting instruments that are used to help in the delivery of a child: forceps and vacuum extractors. Forceps are tong-like instruments that are used to pull a child from the womb typically by the child’s head. Vacuum extractors are used in a similar fashion to suction a child from the womb. If either of these instruments is not used properly, they can bruise the child or even leave them serious head injuries.
There are other causes of abnormal changes in skin color that have not been listed above. To learn more about the damages available for a birth injury, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Miami birth injury lawyer today.
Damages Available for Skin Abnormalities Caused by Birth Injuries in Miami
If you are successful in a Miami lawsuit against a doctor or hospital responsible for your child’s birth injuries, you can be awarded with damages to compensate for a number of issues. Generally, damages are used to compensate for economic or noneconomic losses. Economic losses refer to injuries or other losses that can be quantified. Noneconomic losses refer to losses that are based on emotional pain that cannot be quantified.
The following is a list of damages available for a birth injury:
- Medical expenses for treatment of the birth injury
- Expenses for medication or medical equipment
- Expenses for pain and suffering
Our Dedicated Miami Abnormal Skin Color Injury Lawyer Will Fight for You
If your child developed a skin condition due to medical malpractice, you should contact an experienced Miami lawyer for skin color and texture abnormalities. Medical malpractice lawyer Prosper Shaked has litigated a wide variety of complex malpractice claims, and he would be honored to use this knowledge to represent you. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact the Law Offices of Prosper Shaked at (305) 694-2676.