Brain Damage at Birth

Fact-Checked and Medically Reviewed by:
Katie Lavender, RN Registered Nurse
Quick Answer

Newborn brain damage is often caused by physical trauma during the birthing process and is one of the most common birth injuries. Sadly, brain injuries can lead to lifelong physical and mental disabilities. If your child's brain damage could have been avoided, your family may be entitled to financial support for the best care possible. Find out now with a free case review.

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About Brain Damage at Birth

A delivery doctor cradles a newborn's head in their hands.

Brain damage at birth occurs when cells in the brain are injured or destroyed. Unfortunately, when this happens in fragile newborns, many experience long-term brain damage.

Some children may be able to recover completely from mild brain damage. However, more severe cases can lead to permanent disability and may require lifelong care. Severe newborn brain damage can also result in conditions like cerebral palsy (CP).

An infant’s brain can become damaged by:

  • Lack of oxygen (hypoxia or hypoxic-ischemic injury)
  • Physical head injuries while exiting the birth canal
  • Stroke or restricted blood flow (ischemia)
  • Untreated jaundice (buildup of bilirubin, a waste product)
  • Viral or bacterial infections (like meningitis or encephalitis)

If your child suffered from infant brain damage and you believe it could have been prevented, you may be eligible for financial support. A newborn brain damage lawyer may be able to help your family get the justice and compensation you deserve.

The Birth Injury Justice Center works with a network of top birth injury lawyers who can help families in all 50 states. Together, they have recovered over $1 billion for birth injuries, including brain damage at birth.

Get a free case review right now to find out if you can take legal action for newborn brain damage caused by medical negligence.

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A free case review is the first step in pursuing compensation for you and your family.

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What Causes Brain Damage in Babies?

Several conditions and injuries can cause brain damage at birth, leading to either localized or widespread harm. Brain damage at birth from lack of oxygen is one of the most common situations.

Children are among those at the highest risk of traumatic brain injury, especially newborns to 4-year-olds, according to Mayo Clinic.

Watch our short video to learn more about brain damage at birth.

Brain Damage at Birth Video Thumbnail

Learn more about newborn brain damage. If your baby was harmed, you may be able to access financial aid with the help of a birth injury lawyer.

Duration: 1 min 01 sec

Giving birth should be a joyous occasion, but unfortunately, newborn brain damage is one of the most common birth injuries.

Newborn brain damage is often caused by physical injury during the birthing process. This can happen when the baby’s brain doesn’t get enough oxygen or when there is trauma to the baby’s head during delivery.

Babies who suffer from brain damage can develop lifelong physical and mental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and developmental delays.

If your newborn’s brain damage was caused by medical negligence during childbirth, you may be eligible for financial compensation to help cover the costs of treatment and other expenses.

A qualified birth injury attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue justice for your family. Contact the Birth Injury Justice Center today for a free case review.

Localized Brain Injury at Birth

Localized brain damage occurs when a health condition or trauma causes injury to a specific area of the brain.

The following conditions can damage specific areas of the brain:

  • Aneurysm: A widening and weakening of the wall of blood vessels, which can be caused by high blood pressure or a blood vessel injury during birth.
  • Brain damage during delivery: Complications from assisted delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors can cause significant birth trauma to the head.
  • Stroke: This may occur when a blood clot or damaged vessel blocks oxygen-rich blood from reaching the brain.

Early identification of the causes and signs of localized brain injuries is essential for prompt intervention and reducing long-term impacts on a child’s health.

Widespread Brain Damage at Birth

Brain damage that is widespread occurs when a condition or trauma causes injury throughout the brain.

These conditions can cause widespread brain damage at birth:
  • Hypoxia: This occurs when the infant’s brain does not get enough oxygen (oxygen deprivation) during childbirth.
  • Infection: Viral or bacterial infections, such as meningitis, can affect the development of an unborn child’s brain.
  • Poisoning: Toxins like methylmercury (from seafood, pollution, or chemicals) can cause widely distributed damage in the developing infant brain.

No matter the risks, doctors have a duty to monitor and respond to complications during pregnancy and delivery. If a preventable mistake caused your baby’s brain damage, it may be considered medical malpractice, and your family may have legal options.

Can Brain Damage at Birth Be Detected?

Brain damage from birth is not always obvious right away. Some signs may appear at birth, but others may only become clear as a child grows.

One of the first ways doctors assess a newborn’s health is through the Apgar score, a test given at one and five minutes after birth. This test evaluates a baby’s appearance, heart rate, reflex response, muscle tone, and breathing effort.

“Depending on how well the infant is doing in these five areas at delivery, a nurse may need to provide immediate oxygen, chest compressions, or life-saving medication to the infant. If interventions are delayed when they are medically necessary, it could increase the risk of brain damage to infants.”

Katie Lavender, RN, Labor & Delivery

Doctors may also use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans to look for brain injuries.

Signs like seizures, trouble feeding, or weak muscles could suggest a problem. However, some babies seem healthy at birth but show symptoms months or years later.

Watching for developmental delays can help spot concerns early. If you think your child may have experienced brain damage at birth, a doctor can check their symptoms and recommend testing.

What Are the Signs of Brain Damage at Birth?

Brain damage at birth can lead to a range of symptoms, from physical challenges to cognitive and behavioral issues.

The severity of newborn brain damage symptoms often depends on the type and extent of the injury. Learn more about the signs of brain damage at different ages below.

Signs of Brain Damage in Newborn Babies

Newborns may show early signs of brain damage soon after birth. Doctors carefully monitor babies after they’re born, and families may also notice symptoms in the first days or weeks after bringing their baby home.

Common signs of brain damage in a baby include:
  • Breathing issues: Difficulty breathing, shallow breathing, or pauses in breathing
  • Excessive sleepiness: Unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking up for feeding
  • Feeding problems: Problems latching, swallowing, or keeping milk down
  • Muscle abnormalities: Arms or legs that seem stiff or floppy
  • Poor reflexes: Limited response when touched, held, or startled by loud noises
  • Seizures: Sudden jerking movements, stiffening, or abnormal eye movements

Recognizing these signs early allows for prompt testing and treatment. If you have questions about your baby’s health, we have on-staff registered nurses who can help — at no cost to you.

Reach out to the Birth Injury Justice Center right now. Call us (800) 914-1562 day or night or Click to Live Chat.

Signs of Brain Damage in Toddlers

If you’re concerned about your toddler’s development, being aware of specific signs can help you catch potential issues early.

Signs of brain damage in toddlers include:
  • Difficulty walking
  • Lack of fine motor skills and coordination
  • Poor muscle control
  • Seizures
  • Speech problems
  • Tremors or shakiness
  • Vision problems

If you notice any of these symptoms in your toddler, it’s important to seek medical advice promptly to address potential brain damage and enhance the child’s development and well-being.

Signs of Brain Damage in Children

Unfortunately, symptoms of brain damage that occurred during the birthing process might not become apparent until a child is older. Recognizing these signs as soon as possible is essential to prevent any further treatment delays.

Signs of brain damage in children include:
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Epilepsy (recurring seizures)
  • Extreme mood swings
  • Loss of balance and coordination
  • Muscular weakness on one side of the body
  • Persistent headaches
  • Problems with memory
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Slurred speech
  • State of disorientation or a “dazed” look

If your child is showing symptoms of a birth brain injury, contact a medical professional to get an accurate diagnosis. Doctors can help you get your child the treatment they need to manage their condition.

Take our FREE milestones quiz if you think your child could have developmental delays due to brain injury at birth.

IS YOUR CHILD MISSING DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES?

Take Our Milestones Quiz

Taking note of your child’s physical, social, and emotional skills can help you determine if they potentially suffered from an injury at birth. An early diagnosis can help your child get the treatment they need as soon as possible.

Q1: How old is your child?

0-2 Months

3-4 Months

5-6 Months

7-9 Months

10-12 Months

13-18 Months

19-23 Months

24+ Months

0-2 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ

  • Q2: Can your child hold their head steadily on their own?
  • Q3: Can your child push themselves up when they are lying on their stomach?
  • Q4: Has your child started to make smoother movements with their arms and legs?
  • Q5: Does your child smile at other people?
  • Q6: Can your child bring their hands to their mouth?
  • Q7: Does your child turn their head when they hear a noise?
  • Q8: Does your child coo or make gurgling noises?
  • Q9: Does your child follow things with their eyes?
  • Q10: Does your child try to look at their parents or caregivers?
  • Q11: Does your child show boredom, cry, or fuss when engaged in an activity that hasn’t changed in a while?
0-2-years old child

3-4 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ

  • Q2: Can your child hold their head steadily on their own?
  • Q3: Does your child push down on their legs when their feet are on a flat surface?
  • Q4: Has your child started to roll over from their stomach to their back?
  • Q5: Can your child hold and shake a toy such as a rattle?
  • Q6: Does your child bring their hands to their mouth?
  • Q7: Does your child play with people and start to cry when the playing stops?
  • Q8: Does your child smile spontaneously, especially at people?
  • Q9: Does your child copy some movements and facial expressions of other people?
  • Q10: Does your child babble with expressions and copy sounds they hear?
  • Q11: Does your child cry in different ways to show hunger, pain, or tiredness?
  • Q12: Does your child respond to affection like hugging or kissing?
  • Q13: Does your child follow moving things with their eyes from side to side?
  • Q14: Does your child recognize familiar people at a distance?
3-4-years old child

5-6 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ

  • Q2: Can your child roll over on both sides (front to back/back to front)?
  • Q3: Has your child begun to sit without support?
  • Q4: Does your child rock back and forth?
  • Q5: Can your child support their weight on their legs (and perhaps bounce) when standing?
  • Q6: Has your child begun to pass things from one hand to the other?
  • Q7: Does your child bring objects such as toys to their mouth?
  • Q8: Does your child know if someone is not familiar to them and is a stranger?
  • Q9: Does your child respond to other people’s emotions, such as a smile or a frown?
  • Q10: Does your child enjoy looking at themselves in the mirror?
  • Q11: Does your child look at things around them?
  • Q12: Does your child respond to sounds they hear by making sounds themselves?
  • Q13: Does your child make sounds to show joy or displeasure?
  • Q14: Does your child respond to their own name?
  • Q15: Has your child started to string vowels together, such as "ah," "eh," or "oh," or started to say consonant sounds such as "m" or "b"?
  • Q16: Has your child begun to laugh?
5-6-years old child

7-9 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ

  • Q2: Can your child crawl?
  • Q3: Can your child stand while holding on to something to support them?
  • Q4: Can your child sit without support?
  • Q5: Can your child pull themselves up to stand?
  • Q6: Does your child play peekaboo?
  • Q7: Can your child move things from one hand to the other?
  • Q8: Can your child pick small things up, such as a piece of cereal, with their thumb and index finger?
  • Q9: Does your child look for things that they see you hide?
  • Q10: Does your child watch the path of something as it falls?
  • Q11: Does your child show fear when around strangers?
  • Q12: Does your child become clingy with adults who are familiar to them?
  • Q13: Does your child have favorite toys?
  • Q14: Does your child use their fingers to point?
  • Q15: Does your child understand “no”?
  • Q16: Does your child make a lot of repetitive sounds, such as “mamama” or “bababa”?
  • Q17: Does your child copy the sounds and gestures of other people?
7-9 years old child

10-12 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ

  • Q2: Can your child stand alone with no support?
  • Q3: Does your child walk while holding on to furniture?
  • Q4: Can your child take a few steps without holding on to anything?
  • Q5: Can your child get into a sitting position without any help?
  • Q6: Does your child bang two things together when playing?
  • Q7: Does your child poke with their index finger?
  • Q8: Has your child started to use things like hairbrushes or drinking cups correctly?
  • Q9: Does your child find hidden objects easily?
  • Q10: Does your child play peekaboo or pat-a-cake?
  • Q11: Does your child become shy or nervous around strangers?
  • Q12: Does your child repeat actions or sounds to get attention?
  • Q13: Does your child put out an arm or leg to help when getting dressed?
  • Q14: Does your child cry when a parent leaves the room?
  • Q15: Does your child show that they have favorite things or people?
  • Q16: Does your child show fear?
  • Q17: Does your child say things such as “mama,” “dada,” or “uh-oh”?
  • Q18: Does your child try to say the words you say?
  • Q19: Has your child started to use gestures like waving or shaking their head “no”?
10-12 years old child

13-18 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ

  • Q2: Can your child walk by themselves?
  • Q3: Does your child walk up stairs and run?
  • Q4: Does your child pull toys while walking?
  • Q5: Can your child drink from a cup on their own?
  • Q6: Can your child eat with a spoon on their own?
  • Q7: Can your child help undress themselves?
  • Q8: Does your child have occasional temper tantrums?
  • Q9: Does your child show affection to familiar people?
  • Q10: Does your child become clingy in new situations?
  • Q11: Does your child explore their environment alone with parents close by?
  • Q12: Can your child say several single words?
  • Q13: Can your child say and shake their head “no”?
  • Q14: Does your child point to show things to other people?
  • Q15: Does your child scribble?
  • Q16: Does your child know what ordinary products such as phones, spoons, and brushes are used for?
  • Q17: Can your child follow one-step commands such as “sit down” or “stand up”?
  • Q18: Does your child play with a doll or stuffed animal by pretending to feed it?
13-18 years old child

19-23 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ

  • Q2: Has your child begun to run?
  • Q3: Has your child kicked a ball?
  • Q4: Can your child climb down and onto furniture on their own?
  • Q5: Can your child walk up and down stairs while holding on?
  • Q6: Can your child stand on their tiptoes?
  • Q7: Has your child thrown a ball overhand?
  • Q8: Does your child copy others, especially people older than them?
  • Q9: Does your child get excited around other children?
  • Q10: Has your child shown more independence as they've aged?
  • Q11: Does your child do what they were told not to do and become defiant?
  • Q12: Does your child point to things when they are named?
  • Q13: Does your child know names of familiar people or body parts?
  • Q14: Does your child say 2 to 4-word sentences?
  • Q15: Does your child repeat words they hear?
  • Q16: Does your child complete sentences and rhymes in familiar books?
  • Q17: Does your child name items in books, such as dogs, cats, and birds?
  • Q18: Does your child play simple pretend games?
  • Q19: Has your child started to use one hand more than the other?
  • Q20: Has your child begun to sort shapes and colors?
  • Q21: Does your child follow 2-step instructions, such as “pick up your hat and put it on your head?”
19-23 years old child

24+ MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ

  • Q2: Can your child run easily?
  • Q3: Can your child climb?
  • Q4: Can your child walk up and down stairs with one foot on each step?
  • Q5: Can your child dress and undress themselves?
  • Q6: Does your child show affection for friends without being told?
  • Q7: Does your child take turns when playing games?
  • Q8: Does your child show concern when others are crying?
  • Q9: Does your child understand the idea of “mine" and "theirs"?
  • Q10: Does your child show many different emotions?
  • Q11: Does your child copy adults and friends?
  • Q12: Does your child separate easily from their parents?
  • Q13: Does your child get upset when there is a major change in their routine?
  • Q14: Does your child say words such as “I,” “me,” “we,” “you,” and some plural nouns?
  • Q15: Can your child say their first name, age, and gender?
  • Q16: Can your child carry on a conversation with 2 to 3 sentences?
  • Q17: Can your child work toys with buttons and other moving parts?
  • Q18: Does your child play pretend with dolls, animals, or people?
  • Q19: Can your child finish 3 or 4 piece puzzles?
  • Q20: Can your child copy a circle when drawing?
  • Q21: Can your child turn pages of a book one page at a time?
  • Q22: Can your child turn door handles?
24 months + old child

Types of Newborn Brain Damage

Each case of newborn brain damage can vary in severity and symptoms. Although no two cases are exactly alike, certain types of brain injuries share similar characteristics.

Medical professionals typically group brain injuries at birth into three categories — mild, moderate, and severe.

Cases of mild and moderate brain damage at birth typically require less medical intervention than a severe injury. Sadly, children with severe brain damage may suffer from significant lifelong physical and neurological impairments.

Learn more about the types of brain damage during birth below.

Mild Brain Injury During Birth

Mild brain injuries during birth usually cause short-term problems with a baby’s brain function. Although symptoms can seem serious at first, most babies recover quickly and do not have lasting disabilities.

Common examples of mild brain injuries at birth include:
  • Brief seizures or jitteriness: Short episodes of abnormal movements that often stop quickly without causing long-term harm
  • Mild brain bruising: Temporary bruising of the brain from delivery pressure, which usually heals on its own within days or weeks
  • Small brain bleeds: Minor bleeding inside the baby’s brain that typically resolves without treatment

These conditions usually improve quickly. However, it’s still important to monitor your baby closely to ensure symptoms fully resolve.

Moderate Brain Damage During Birth

Moderate brain injuries during birth are more serious than mild ones and may cause symptoms that last longer or need treatment. While many babies recover well, some may experience longer-term developmental challenges or disabilities.

Common examples of moderate brain injuries at birth include:
  • Cephalohematoma: A buildup of blood beneath the scalp, usually caused by birth trauma, which can lead to complications if not closely monitored
  • Seizures: Repeated abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which typically requires medication and close monitoring
  • Skull fractures: Breaks or cracks in the skull bone that often heal on their own but might need medical monitoring

Early treatment and careful monitoring are important to help manage these conditions and support the baby’s recovery.

Severe Brain Injury at Birth

Severe brain injuries at birth can lead to permanent disabilities, significant developmental delays, and serious lifelong health challenges. These injuries typically result from complications like prolonged oxygen deprivation or trauma during delivery.

Examples of severe brain damage at birth include:
  • Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): Brain injury due to a prolonged lack of oxygen, often causing permanent damage or death
  • Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH): Bleeding into the brain’s ventricles, common in premature babies, potentially causing hydrocephalus, CP, or intellectual disabilities
  • Kernicterus: Permanent brain damage caused by untreated severe jaundice, leading to movement disorders, hearing loss, and cognitive impairments
  • Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL): Severe damage to the brain’s white matter, usually due to oxygen loss, strongly linked to cerebral palsy

Severe injuries usually require immediate medical care, specialized therapies, and long-term support to maximize a child’s quality of life.

If you suspect your baby suffered brain damage at birth, you’re not alone. Many families feel overwhelmed trying to understand what happened and what it means for their child’s future.

Our labor and delivery nurses are here to support you. They can speak with you at no cost, answer your questions, and help you figure out what might have gone wrong.

Connect with one of our registered nurses now.

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Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury at Birth

Newborn brain damage can lead to a number of behavioral and cognitive abnormalities in children. These traumatic birth effects on a baby’s brain may change with age as the brain starts to develop.

Here are some common effects of brain injury at birth:
  • Behavioral effects: Brain damage at birth can cause an exaggeration of personality characteristics (such as bursts of increased agitation or anger) that can affect behavior.
  • Cognitive effects: Brain injuries can change a child’s ability to learn, think, and perceive. Children may have issues remembering people and events.
  • Coma and reduced awareness: Children who suffered brain damage at birth may constantly seem as if they are in a daze. Some children with severe brain damage may fall into a coma.
  • Communication problems: Infants and children with brain damage may struggle to communicate through spoken language or physical movements.
  • Emotional effects: Individuals suffering from brain damage may suffer from extreme mood swings, depression, or anxiety.
  • Hormonal imbalances: Brain damage can also affect hormone levels in the brain. Hormonal imbalances can cause diabetes, weight gain, or reduced body hair.
  • Physical effects: Traumatic brain injuries can cause problems with mobility, muscle weakness, balance, and coordination.

It is important for parents and caregivers to recognize the effects of brain damage at birth and seek medical care. Getting a proper diagnosis can help your child get prompt treatment and improve their chances of recovering.

Can a Baby Recover From Brain Damage?

The most common question new parents have is whether their baby will be okay after suffering from a brain injury at birth.

Unfortunately, the answer varies. Doctors may look at symptoms and determine the infant’s prognosis (likely outcome of a medical condition) and whether the symptoms will resolve, remain mild, or increase in severity.

The prognosis for newborn brain damage depends on 3 key factors:
  1. The severity of the injury
  2. How quickly doctors provide medical care
  3. The baby’s ability to recover

Children with mild brain damage often recover, while those with moderate to severe injuries may experience lifelong challenges affecting movement, learning, or daily activities.

Some babies show signs of improvement over time, while others may develop complications as they grow.

Getting medical help quickly can greatly improve a child’s prognosis. Early intervention may reduce the severity of long-term disabilities, help the brain form new connections, and prevent symptoms from worsening.

Treatment for Brain Injury at Birth

The best and most effective way to treat newborn brain damage is to seek medical help immediately. Once the cause is treated, brain damage does not improve or worsen over time. Symptoms can be managed through various birth injury treatment options.

Newborn brain damage treatment options may include:
  • Cooling therapy (therapeutic hypothermia): Used for certain types of brain injury, like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
  • Medications: To manage seizures, reduce brain swelling, or support brain function
  • Oxygen therapy: For babies with breathing difficulties that could affect brain recovery
  • Supportive care: Monitoring and interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
  • Surgery: In rare cases, it may be needed for conditions like hydrocephalus or severe bleeding in the brain

Additionally, doctors and researchers continue to develop better ways to diagnose brain damage early and discover new treatments to enhance recovery.

Brain-protecting drugs like sovateltide and erythropoietin, along with regenerative treatments like xenon and stem cells, may aid healing and improve long-term outcomes, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.

These medical advances can help improve the prognosis and overall quality of life for children who have suffered brain damage at birth. However, treatment and ongoing care can be expensive.

If your child’s brain damage at birth was preventable, financial compensation from a birth injury lawsuit may help you afford the medical support your child needs.

Get Legal Help for Brain Damage at Birth

Many families are not prepared to pay for costly birth injury treatments, especially if their child’s injury could have been prevented.

Doctors and medical professionals are expected to uphold the standard of care during the birthing process. Careless medical errors from health care providers can result in lifelong injury to a baby and may be considered medical malpractice.

Thankfully, your family may have options to help pay for your child’s treatment. You may be able to seek financial compensation from a lawsuit if your child’s brain damage was caused by medical negligence.

We work with top medical malpractice law firms across the country. They’ve helped families like yours recover over $1 billion for preventable birth injuries.

Call the Birth Injury Justice Center right now at (800) 914-1562 or fill out this form for a free case review to see if you may be able to take legal action.

Brain Damage at Birth FAQs

What is severe brain damage at birth?

Severe brain damage at birth occurs when a baby experiences significant injury to the brain before, during, or shortly after delivery. This can happen due to oxygen deprivation, head trauma, infections, or other complications.

Severe brain damage may lead to long-term disabilities, including cerebral palsy, developmental delays, or difficulty with movement, speech, and cognition.

Early medical intervention can help manage symptoms and improve the child’s quality of life.

What are the first signs of brain damage in babies?

Some of the first signs of newborn brain damage include an abnormally large forehead or unusually small head, seizures, and a low Apgar birth score (decreased tone, heart rate, reflexes, breathing effort, and color).

The signs of newborn brain damage may mirror symptoms of other conditions. However, if you suspect brain damage at birth occurred, it is crucial that your baby is evaluated immediately. It’s also important to explore your options early to secure the financial support needed for your child’s care.

The Birth Injury Justice Center partners with some of the top brain damage at birth lawyers who may be able to help. Call us right now at (800) 914-1562.

Can a baby with brain damage smile?

Yes, a baby with brain damage can usually smile, but development may be delayed depending on the severity of the injury.

Some babies smile on time, while others may struggle due to muscle weakness or neurological challenges.

If your baby isn’t smiling by a few months old, speak with their doctor to check for any concerns. Early intervention can help support development.

Can a baby with brain damage live a normal life?

A baby with brain damage may be able to live a normal life, depending on the severity of the injury. Mild cases may have little to no long-term impact, while more severe injuries can lead to developmental delays or lifelong challenges.

Early medical care, therapy, and support can help improve a child’s abilities and quality of life. Your pediatrician can explain about brain damage at birth and its likely effects on your child. Together, you can develop a treatment plan to help your child thrive.

Can brain damage from lack of oxygen be reversed?

Brain damage from lack of blood or oxygen, known as hypoxic-ischemic injury, is generally irreversible. Treatment focuses on preventing further damage and managing symptoms through rehabilitation and supportive care.

How common is brain damage during birth?

The number of brain injuries at birth varies depending on the factors that caused them. For example, a condition called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) occurs in roughly 2.5 out of every 1,000 live births. Similarly, cerebral palsy occurs in about 2 out of 1,000 live births.

Additionally, rates of brain damage at birth vary depending on whether a baby is born by vaginal delivery or with help from an assistive device such as a vacuum extractor or forceps. These devices may increase the risk of injury to your baby’s head, which can cause brain damage.

Which disability can be caused by brain injury at birth?

Brain injury at birth can lead to lifelong disabilities, including cerebral palsy, cognitive impairment, epilepsy, vision and hearing loss, and more.

However, it is important to remember that a brain injury affects every child differently. With early intervention and proper treatment, a baby who was injured at birth can improve substantially.

What causes brain injury at birth?

Brain damage at birth is caused by different conditions and injuries, depending on whether it is localized (in a specific area of the brain) or widespread (throughout the entire brain).

Localized brain injury at birth can be caused by brain bleeds, an aneurysm (widening and weakening of the wall of a blood vessel), physical trauma, or stroke (block in blood flow to the brain).

Widespread newborn brain damage can be caused by hypoxia (lack of oxygen), infections, or poisoning by toxins to the fetus while a mother is pregnant.

While some cases of brain damage at birth are unavoidable, many could be prevented with appropriate medical care.

If you think your child’s brain damage was due to medical malpractice, get a free case review right now. You could be eligible to pursue financial support for lifelong care.

Birth Injury Support Team
Reviewed by:Katie Lavender, RN

Registered Nurse

  • Fact-Checked
  • Editor

Katie Lavender has over 8 years of experience as a Registered Nurse in postpartum mother/baby care. With hands-on experience in Labor and Delivery and a role as a Community Educator for newborn care, Katie is a staunch advocate for patient rights and education. As a Medical Reviewer, she is committed to ensuring accurate and trustworthy patient information.

The Birth Injury Justice Center was founded in 2003 by a team of legal professionals to educate and empower victims and families affected by birth injuries. Our team is devoted to providing you with the best resources and legal information for all types of birth injuries.

View Sources
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  2. Duke University School of Medicine. (n.d.). Treating neonatal brain injury. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://pediatrics.duke.edu/divisions/neonatology/research/neonatal-perinatal-research-unit-npru/treating-neonatal-brain-injury
  3. Keenan, H. T., et al. (2008, March). Neurodevelopmental consequences of early traumatic brain injury in 3-year-old children. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2361427/
  4. Mayo Clinic. (2021, February 04). Traumatic brain injury. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557
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Nurse Beth Carter

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