Birth Injury Symptoms & Developmental Delays

Birth injuries can happen during labor, delivery, or even before a baby is born. Some symptoms of birth injuries, like nerve damage, are detected right away. Other issues, like brain damage or developmental delays, might not show up until a child grows. Learn about common birth injury symptoms and what steps to take if you’re concerned about your child’s health.

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Birth Injury Symptoms

Some birth injuries are not obvious right away. Many signs and symptoms of birth injuries may take one to two years to appear.

The following symptoms do not always mean a birth injury occurred, but they may point to brain or nerve damage. Watching for developmental concerns can help identify issues early.

Immediate signs of birth injury include:

Arched back while crying
Difficult suckling, eating, or swallowing
Excessive drooling
Hand curled into claw-like shape
High-pitched crying
Low oxygen levels
Loose or stiff muscles
Slow heart rate
Sensitivity to light
Weak reflexes

Some of the most important symptoms to watch for after delivery include difficulty breathing, seizures, and abnormal muscle tone. These could signal a serious birth injury, like brain damage, and may require immediate medical attention to prevent lasting harm.

Early Signs of Developmental Delays

Children may show signs of developmental delays in various areas of development. Your baby’s pediatrician can help you keep track of important milestones and explore treatment options if a developmental delay is suspected.

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of developmental delay below.

Cognitive Skill Delays

Delays in cognitive skills might become apparent if your child has trouble understanding concepts, following instructions, or solving simple problems. Memory challenges may make it difficult for them to retain new information or recall familiar tasks.

Speech and Language Delays

In some cases, delays impact speech and language development, making it hard for your child to form words or construct sentences.

They may also struggle to understand spoken language or express their needs clearly, which can lead to frustration for both the child and their caregivers.

Fine and Gross Motor Skill Delays

Delays in fine motor skills are also common. Your child might find it difficult to grasp small objects or perform tasks requiring precision, like drawing or buttoning a shirt.

For gross motor delays, you might notice challenges with crawling, walking, or climbing stairs, affecting their ability to explore their surroundings.

Social and Emotional Skill Delays

Delays in social and emotional development can present as difficulty recognizing or responding to social cues, such as facial expressions or tone of voice.

Your child may find it hard to connect with others or express their emotions, which can hinder their ability to build relationships or navigate group settings.

If you’re unsure whether your child has a developmental delay, our experienced labor and delivery nurses are here to help for free. Connect with a registered nurse now.

Birth Injury Signs Later in a Child’s Development

As your child gets older, symptoms of a birth injury usually present themselves when they miss important developmental milestones or show physical signs of brain or nerve damage.

Symptoms of a birth injury for 12 months of age and older include:

Balance and coordination issues (ataxia)
Cognitive delays, including memory issues
Challenges eating, drinking, or using utensils
Delayed speech or language development
Difficulty sitting, standing, crawling, or walking without support
Fine motor skill difficulties, including hand-eye and hand-mouth coordination
Hearing, vision, or speech impairments
Increased or decreased muscle tone (hypertonia or hypotonia)
Involuntary movements, tremors, or muscle spasms (spasticity)
Seizures or neurological conditions such as epilepsy

If your child exhibits any of the symptoms above, you should consult a doctor to get a diagnosis.

Get Legal Help for Your Child

If your child is experiencing developmental delays, you may be wondering what caused them and what options your family has.

In some cases, a child’s developmental delay can be traced back to complications during birth, including preventable medical mistakes made by a health care provider. In these cases, you may be able to take legal action.

Filing a birth injury lawsuit may result in money for:

Long-term care and support
Medical treatments and surgeries
Therapy and rehabilitation

An experienced birth injury lawyer can determine whether medical negligence played a role in your child’s developmental delay. They can handle the legal process on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your child’s care.

Get a free case review now. Our legal partners have secured more than $1 Billion for families affected by preventable birth injuries.

Frequently asked questions

Can a birth injury cause developmental delays?

Yes, birth injuries like lack of oxygen (hypoxia), improper use of delivery tools, or untreated infections can damage a baby’s brain, leading to developmental delays in movement, speech, or learning. Medical negligence during childbirth is often a factor.

If you suspect medical malpractice played a role in causing your child’s developmental delay, we may be able to help.

What are the signs of developmental delay after a birth injury?

After a birth injury, signs of developmental delay can include muscle stiffness or floppiness, trouble holding up the head, delayed motor skills, or difficulty forming words. Early signs of birth injuries often appear in the first year of life.

Ongoing or later signs of developmental delay include missing milestones like sitting, crawling, or walking, speech delays, difficulty with coordination, or limited social interaction. Parents should seek medical advice if their child isn’t meeting expected milestones.

Can a child recover from developmental delays caused by birth injury?

Recovery depends on the severity of the injury. Some children improve with therapy, while others with significant brain damage may need lifelong assistance with mobility, communication, and daily activities.

What should I do if my child has developmental delays after birth?

Get a medical evaluation to determine the cause and explore therapy options. If you suspect medical negligence played a role in your child’s developmental delay, your family may be entitled to compensation to help provide the best possible care and support.

Written by: Complicated Care

Complicated Care was founded by a team of legal and medical 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.