The University of Otago recently publishing findings in the neuropathology journal Brain Pathology that show a new approach to preventing cerebral palsy in newborns suffering from birth trauma.

The new approach focuses on newborns that have been deprived of oxygen. Nearly one out of six of every 1000 children born suffer from birth injury due to low oxygen levels. This form of birth injury can lead to life-long disabilities such as cerebral palsy.

Treatments for birth injury are only moderately successful. The new research published by Associate Professor Dorothy Oorschot from the Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, shows that the combination of two common therapies may be highly effective in treating birth injuries.

The two treatments include inducing moderate hypothermia and administering an antioxidant. Alone, the treatments show only moderate improvement. Oorschot’s research indicates that the combination can actually help rescue nerve cells that have been damaged and restore motor function.

The research was conducted on an animal model and the research team is now beginning to focus on how to refine the new treatment for the best possible results.

Currently, birth trauma attorneys are working on cases in which life-long disability has resulted due to medical negligence during birth.

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.