A study published in the April edition of Pediatrics, shows that premature babies are at a higher risk of autism. The study is the first of its kind to associate very low birth rate with the risk of autism. Very low birth weight is defined as 3 pounds, 4 ounces or less.

The study, conducted by Catherine Limperopoulos, shows that infants born at least 10 weeks early need careful monitoring to catch autism early.

Autism is a brain disorder that inhibits the ability to communicate. Those with autism may act out in violence or self-injury. There is no cure, but those who seek treatment do improve.

It is estimated that about 25,000 are diagnosed with autism every year in the United States. At least 600,000 adults have some form of autism.

Currently, birth trauma attorneys are working on cases involving the development of life-long disabilities due to the negligence of a medical staff.

According to 2006 statistics, an average of 1 in 3 pregnant women delivered their children through cesarean sections. This is compared to the 1 in 5 women who delivered through c-section a decade ago.

There are conflicting arguments that both support and oppose an increase in c-sections. Supporters site the decrease in possible birth defects and birth injuries that can result from vaginal deliveries. Birth injuries can result in life-long disability such as cerebral palsy or death of the infant or mother.

Those who oppose an increase in c-sections say that the recovery time is extended and that c-sections increase risks during subsequent pregnancies, such as uterine rupture and placenta previa.

One major cause of the increase in c-sections is rising medical malpractice insurance. Doctor’s may pay over $100,000 a year for medical malpractice insurance. This number can rise dramatically if the doctor is sued for birth injuries, regardless of whether or not the doctor is found liable.

The risk of medical malpractice suits drops dramatically if there is no delivery.

Birth injury attorneys are currently working on cases in which life-long disability has resulted from medical malpractice.

A New Jersey jury awarded a disabled boy $19 million on March 17^{th. The money will pay for the life-long medical care needed due to the boy’s injuries.}

The jury found that the obstetrician misdiagnosed the boy’s mother. At 30 weeks in her pregnancy, she called the doctor and complained of abdominal pain. The doctor did not determine that she was hemorrhaging, did not give the woman the proper tests, did not recognize that the baby was in distress or heed the warnings of his nursing staff who identified the woman’s problem.

The boy was born during a c-section. He had to be resuscitated and then spent the first four months of his life in intensive care. He is now permanently disabled. He is legally blind, suffers from severe brain damage and he has cerebral palsy.

With pre-judgment interest, the jury’s award is expected to exceed $23 million.

Birth trauma attorneys are currently working on similar cases to help those devastated by birth injuries.