Suspect Your Child Was Injured During Birth?

Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for the best outcomes. If you notice developmental delays, muscle weakness, seizures, or other concerning symptoms, it's important to get a comprehensive medical evaluation immediately.

Many birth injuries result from preventable medical errors. Our team can connect you with specialists who can evaluate your child and help you understand your legal options if negligence occurred.

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Why Early Intervention Matters

When a child experiences a birth injury, the brain and body have remarkable capacity for recovery—especially in the first months and years of life. Research consistently demonstrates that early intervention provides the best opportunity for successful recovery and development.

Modern birth injury treatment involves a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach that combines medical interventions, various therapies, assistive technologies, and family support. Each treatment plan is customized to address your child's unique needs, symptoms, and developmental goals.

Starting treatment as early as possible—ideally within the first weeks of life—can significantly improve long-term outcomes. The developing brain is most adaptable during this critical window, allowing therapeutic interventions to have maximum impact.

3-6 months

optimal window for beginning intervention programs

Medical Research, 2024

Core Therapy Approaches

Birth injury treatment typically involves multiple therapeutic disciplines working together. Each therapy addresses different aspects of development and recovery.

Physical Therapy

Foundation of treatment

Focuses on gross motor skills, strength, mobility, and preventing contractures. Starting as early as 3 weeks, therapists work on range-of-motion exercises, stretching, and movement patterns. Most children attend 2-3 sessions per week.

Occupational Therapy

Daily living skills

Helps children develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and abilities needed for self-care activities like eating, dressing, and playing. Addresses sensory processing issues and adaptive techniques.

Speech-Language Therapy

Communication & feeding

Essential for children with oral motor difficulties, feeding issues, or language delays. Therapists work on articulation, swallowing, language comprehension, and may introduce alternative communication methods when needed.

Aquatic Therapy

Low-impact environment

Water provides buoyancy and gentle resistance, allowing children to work on strength, balance, and range of motion with reduced stress on joints. Particularly beneficial for children with severe motor impairments.

Medical Interventions & Procedures

Beyond therapy, various medical interventions can manage symptoms, prevent complications, and in some cases restore lost function. Treatment decisions depend on the specific type of injury, severity, and your child's individual response.

Therapeutic Hypothermia (Cooling)

For HIE, cooling therapy within 6 hours of birth lowers body temperature to 33.5°C for 72 hours, significantly reducing brain damage. This is the only proven intervention to improve outcomes in moderate-severe HIE.

Medications

Anti-spasticity drugs (baclofen, botox), muscle relaxants, seizure medications, and pain management help reduce symptoms and improve comfort during therapy and daily activities.

Nerve Surgery

For Erb's palsy and brachial plexus injuries, nerve grafting or nerve transfer surgery performed within 3-9 months can restore arm function when conservative treatment fails to show improvement.

Orthopedic Surgery

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) for spasticity, tendon lengthening, muscle releases, and bone realignment procedures address musculoskeletal complications as children grow.

Baclofen Pump

Implanted device delivers anti-spasticity medication directly to spinal fluid, providing better symptom control with fewer side effects than oral medications for severe cerebral palsy.

Assistive Technology

Orthotics, braces, wheelchairs, communication devices, adaptive equipment, and positioning systems support mobility, communication, and independence throughout development.

The Multidisciplinary Care Team

Effective birth injury treatment requires coordination among multiple specialists working together to create and implement a comprehensive care plan.

Medical Specialists

Pediatric neurologists - diagnose and manage neurological conditions
Developmental pediatricians - oversee overall development
Orthopedic surgeons - address musculoskeletal issues
Physiatrists - coordinate rehabilitation programs
Neurosurgeons - perform specialized brain/nerve procedures

Therapy Professionals

Physical therapists - gross motor development
Occupational therapists - fine motor and daily living skills
Speech-language pathologists - communication and feeding
Respiratory therapists - breathing support when needed
Recreation therapists - adaptive sports and activities

Support Services

Social workers - resource coordination and family support
Care coordinators - manage appointments and services
Nutritionists - feeding plans and nutritional support
Psychologists - emotional and behavioral support
Special educators - educational planning and advocacy

Specialized Services

Vision specialists - assess and treat visual impairments
Audiologists - evaluate and manage hearing issues
Orthotists - design and fit braces and orthotics
Assistive technology specialists - evaluate and recommend devices
Pain management specialists - address chronic pain

Treatment Approaches by Birth Injury Type

While many treatments are common across birth injuries, each condition has specific considerations and protocols.

Cerebral Palsy Treatment

CP requires lifelong, coordinated care with evolving needs as the child grows.

Daily physical therapy to improve mobility and prevent contractures
Anti-spasticity medications (baclofen, botox) for muscle tone management
Surgical options like SDR to reduce spasticity or orthopedic procedures
Assistive technology for mobility, communication, and independence

Lifelong

care coordination
required

Erb's Palsy Treatment

Most children recover with early intervention; surgery reserved for severe cases.

Gentle range-of-motion exercises starting at 3 weeks of age
Physical and occupational therapy 2-3 times per week
Nerve transfer or graft surgery if no improvement by 3-6 months
Secondary procedures if needed to improve function and appearance

80-90%

recover fully
with therapy

HIE Treatment

Time-sensitive intervention can dramatically improve outcomes.

Therapeutic hypothermia within 6 hours of birth (critical window)
Intensive NICU monitoring and seizure management
Early intervention therapy beginning as soon as medically stable
Long-term management of any resulting developmental delays

6 hours

treatment window
for cooling

Treatment Resources in New York

New York State offers extensive programs and specialized centers to support birth injury treatment and family needs.

Early Intervention Program: Free or low-cost services for children under 3
Major Medical Centers: NYU Langone, Columbia, HSS, Strong Memorial, SUNY Upstate
Medicaid Waivers: Home and community-based services for children with disabilities
Medical Indemnity Fund: Financial support for children with neurological birth injuries
Special Education Services: IEPs and accommodations through school districts

Free Treatment Resource Guide

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