Sometimes a baby is cut off from oxygen during delivery. This is called “birth hypoxia,” and it can occur for many reasons, including unmonitored maternal blood pressure, placental abruption, and stopped labor. When these complications occur, there’s a high risk the child will develop cognitive impairments or other intellectual disabilities.

To help families identify early indicators and intervene as early as possible, we’ve put together a few warning signs of cognitive impairment every new parent should know.

What Are the Warning Signs Cognitive Deficit?

Each brain injury is different. There’s no exact way to know how reduced oxygen will impact a child’s overall intelligence and cognitive abilities. That said, there are a few early indicators that should raise red flags.

Infant Warning Signs

• No reaction to loud noises or play

• Delayed or missed milestones (crawling/walking/talking)

• Baby doesn’t seem to recognize your face or voice

• Very little laughing or crying.

Toddler Warning Signs

• Difficulty remembering information

• Persistent infantile behavior

• Difficulty speaking or forming sentences

• Trouble understanding logical relationships

Again, each brain injury is different and presents unique symptoms. If you suspect that your child has cognitive impairment or intellectual disabilities, but they don’t present these exact signs, you should contact your pediatrician to voice your concerns.

What If My Child Presents Symptoms?

If your child misses crucial developmental milestones or shows other warning signs, you should contact your pediatrician immediately. They should be able to help you determine if your child is cognitively delayed. After visiting your child’s doctor, you should contact an experienced birth injury attorney. An attorney can investigate the circumstances of your child’s birth and can determine whether medical malpractice played a role in their condition.

If your child was diagnosed with a latent birth injury, we are here for you. To schedule a free case consultation with an experienced Atlanta medical malpractice attorney from The Mabrey Firm, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (404) 841-4991 or send us an email.