Birth trauma occurs in approximately 29 out of every 1,000 births in the US, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. This is a shocking statistic given the advanced state of modern medicine. Tragically, many of these injuries, including cerebral palsy and complications during pregnancy and delivery, can be traced back to human error.
The Birth Injury Center has been set up to provide advice, support and financial and legal resources to families affected by health complications, permanent disability or even the death of a child, if these injuries were caused by medical negligence.
There are so many problems that can occur before, during and after the delivery of a child which can lead to a lifetime of challenges for the families involved. One of the more surprising findings according to the Birth Injury Center, is the administration of a medication found in most medicine cabinets across the world and which has been associated with the increase in autism in children.
The seemingly innocuous Paracetamol, known as Tylenol in the USA, has been shown in 26 studies to have increased the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders when the mother has been regularly exposed to it during pregnancy.
Paracetamol has been shown to be a hormone disruptor which can have devastating consequences on the developing foetus, and its use should be severely limited during pregnancy. Children are 19 per cent more likely to have ASD if exposed to paracetamol in the womb, and 21 per cent more likely to have ADHD symptoms.
As many as one in 44 children in the USA are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by the age of eight years old and these numbers are increasing, so it is vital to limit the risks that could be contributing to this rise.
Cerebral Palsy is the most common motor disability for children, affecting one in every 345 children and is listed on the resource page of The Birth Injury Center, along with Erb’s palsy, spinal damage and complications caused by oxygen deprivation during the birthing procedure. Jaundice, if left untreated, can lead to brain damage if bilirubin collects in the child’s brain. Many of these problems can be avoided with appropriate prenatal care, although others will be down to genetic and other factors over which the medical establishment may not have full control.
To learn more about the extensive resources and information provided by The Birth Injury Center, please go to www.birthinjurycenter.org