The birth of a child is a significant occasion for all parents, the journey to a healthy delivery often involves joy, excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately, for some families, this joyous and auspicious occasion can be eclipsed by some unwanted complications during or soon after childbirth that may lead to the development of neurological disorders in children. Dr. R.K. Jain is a British-trained Senior Consultant Paediatritian with a special interest in Paediatric Neurology and Neuro-disability at Child Neurology Center, Gurgaon. He is known to offer the best treatment and therapies to make the child’s life better who is suffering from neurological disease for a bright future. It is important to know that understanding the potential and possible birth complications as well as their link to neurological disorders is extremely crucial for early diagnosis, timely intervention, and effective management. In this blog, we will learn more about some highlighting facts about birth complications and their link to neurological disorder development in children, its types, symptoms and management techniques as well as the evaluation of the importance of early detection and expert medical intervention.
Better Understanding Birth Complications
Birth complications mean or refer to any problems or issues that arise during labour and delivery of a newborn, which can potentially affect the health of the mother, the newborn baby, or in extremely complicated situations even both. These complications can be unique for every mother and its effects can range from mild to severe and may have temporary or long-term side effects for life.
Some Common & Known Birth Complications
1. Hypoxia:
It is a medical condition where the baby is unable to receive a sufficient supply of oxygen throughout the body during birth. It is known to cause brain damage and lead to the development of neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy.
2. Preterm Birth:
Those adorable babies who are born before 37 weeks of healthy gestation are considered preterm. Preterm infants are found to be at higher risk for developing a range of health problems, including several neurological disorders.
3. Birth Trauma:
Some physical injuries which are sustained by the baby during delivery, such as fractures, nerve damage, or brain injury, can also lead to neurological issues for the newborn.
4. Infections:
Some maternal infections during pregnancy or infections acquired soon after childbirth can affect the baby’s small brain and can hamper the functioning nervous system, leading to neurological complications.
5. Jaundice:
If a newborn is diagnosed with severe jaundice soon after birth it can also lead to a condition called kernicterus, which is responsible for causing brain damage and can possibly result in the development of neurological disorders.
Some Neurological Disorders Linked to Birth Complications
Neurological disorders are defined as those medical conditions that affect the nervous system i.e. brain, spinal cord, or nerves, leading to developmental, cognitive, or physical impairments in kids. There are several neurological disorders that have been linked to birth complications, some of which are:-
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that directly affect movement and muscle tone or posture in the body. It is primarily caused by damage received to the developing brain, often before birth or soon after birth. Birth complications such as hypoxia, preterm birth, and birth trauma are known to significantly increase the risk factors for developing CP.
Symptoms of CP to Know About:
• Delays are observed in reaching common motor milestones (e.g., running, sitting, walking)
• Muscle stiffness or floppiness are experienced during CP.
• Some involuntary movements can be observed for CP.
• There can be difficulty in maintaining brain-to-body coordination and balance.
Effective Treatment for CP:
Some effective treatments and therapies for CP which are utilized worldwide are: –
• Physical therapy, to improve physical coordination.
• Occupational therapy to improve quality of life.
• Speech therapy to improve clear speech and understanding.
• Medications to manage muscle stiffness
• Surgery is recommended in severe cases
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
The exact cause of ASD is not yet fully known, however expert research suggests that certain birth complications, such as preterm birth and hypoxia, may increase the risk of developing autism in kids.
Symptoms of ASD to Know About:
• Some observable challenges with social interactions are common.
• Repetitive patterns in behaviours can be experienced.
• Communication difficulties and understanding issues.
• Some sensory processing issues are also common for ASD.
Effective Treatment for ASD:
• Behavioural therapies (e.g., Applied Behaviour Analysis) to encourage healthy behaviour.
• Speech and language therapy to improve speech clarity and communication skills.
• Occupational therapy to improve the overall quality of life for kids and parents.
• Social skills training to improve social skills and eliminate hesitation.
• Some medications can be prescribed by experts to better manage ASD symptoms (e.g., anxiety, hyperactivity)
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can be easily characterized by recurrent seizures. Some unfortunate birth complications such as HIE, neonatal stroke, and infections can increase the risk of developing epilepsy.
Symptoms of Epilepsy to Know About:
• Recurrent seizures are observed and expected in Epilepsy.
• Temporary confusion can be experienced during Epilepsy.
• Long staring times can also be seen in kids challenged with Epilepsy.
• Uncontrolled jerking movements are a common symptom of Epilepsy.
Effective Treatment for Epilepsy:
• Antiepileptic medications help in controlling the symptoms.
• A ketogenic diet helps in keeping the body healthy for less seizure incidents.
• Vagus nerve stimulation helps in better nervous system coordination.
• Surgery can also be the last resort in severe cases of Epilepsy.
The Importance of Early Detection and Intervention
Early detection and timely medical intervention are crucial and essential in managing all kinds of neurological disorders including those resulting from unfortunate birth complications. Early diagnosis always has enough room to accommodate the need for timely treatments and therapies that can significantly improve outcomes for children suffering from neurological disorders. Some steps for early detection are regular prenatal care, expert monitoring during labour and delivery, newborn screening and developmental assessments for young kids.
Conclusion: Detect Neurological Disorders Early For Impactful Treatment Possibility
Hence, some undesirable birth complications can surely have profound adverse effects on a child’s neurological development, which can often lead to conditions such as cerebral palsy, HIE, neonatal stroke, ASD, epilepsy and more. After understanding the potential complications and their link to neurological disorders, we can realize that it is crucial for early diagnosis and timely medical intervention. Dr. R.K Jain at Child Neurology Center, Gurgaon offers the best treatment for many neurological disorders in kids including ADHD, ASD, Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy and more. Remember only with timely and appropriate medical care from experts like Dr. R.K. Jain, many children with neurological disorders can suppress their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives with a bright future.