Certain Birth Injuries Can Result in Mental Illness
A new study found that children with certain types of birth injuries have a higher risk of developing mental health issues as teenagers.
The study was done by researchers from Lund University in Sweden and based on population and medical data taken from a number of national databases, including the Swedish Medical Birth Register. The study determined that children who suffered from a brachial plexus injury at birth does affect mental health later on, as indicated by the use of antidepressants and other psychotropic drugs in their teens. A number of additional factors were included, including whether the children were boys or girls and the socioeconomic status of the child’s family, all of which can affect the severity of the illness.
While the study noted that the severity and prognosis for birth-injured children varied depending on location and extent of the injury, one of the lead researchers indicated her hope that the study increased awareness of the long term effects and that “children will continue to receive help, even after the physical injury has been treated..."
If you suspect that your newborn experienced birth complications due to negligence by a doctor or hospital, you may want to discuss your options with an experienced Philadelphia birth injury attorney. Contact us today.