If your child is suffering from infant brain damage, you may be wondering what may happen to your child and what you need to do from here. It is important for your child to receive the care he or she needs to ensure that they are able to recover from the condition as quickly as possible.
One thing to keep in mind is that children who suffer from infant brain damage may recover completely without any lasting problems. Most children who have a mild form of brain damage will overcome the condition with minimal physical disabilities. Those with severe brain damage will sometimes overcome the condition, but in extreme cases and cases of abuse, the child may pass away.
Taking Your Child in for an Assessment
Before your child can be diagnosed with a brain injury or trauma, he or she will need to have an assessment done to determine the extent of the condition. It is essential that you find medical help for your child the moment you realize he or she may have a brain injury.
During the assessment period, your child’s doctor will discuss your child’s symptoms with you and discuss what they believe to be the problem. A CT scan is usually done to see if there are any signs of brain damage present. Not all children are able to have a CT scan performed. If a CT scan cannot be performed, the doctor will diagnose the child using other methods.
After the assessment and CT scan, the doctor will be able to give a formal diagnosis for the child. During this time, the doctor will discuss how severe the brain damage is and what the treatment goals are.
Your Child May Need Surgery
It is not uncommon for a child who has brain damage or a brain injury to undergo surgery. Often, surgery is only recommended in severe cases where there is swelling of the brain or other trauma to the brain and skull.
A craniotomy is a type of procedure that is used to help remove a piece of the skull known as the bone flap. During surgery, the doctor will be able to repair any broken blood vessels, remove clots, or mend fractures. Once the surgery is done, the removed bone flap is able secure back into place.
Long-Term Treatments for Infant Brain Damage
Outside of surgery, a child may need other treatments to continue after the child has recovered and is back at home. Medications may be used to help your child function and avoid any seizures or behavioral problems that may arise. When the brain is damaged, a child will usually have some type of developmental delay.
Another treatment the child may need is therapy. The therapy needed will depend on the type of issue the child is having. For instance, if the child needs help using their body again, physical therapy will help improve their movement and flexibility, whereas, if a child has trouble eating and swallowing, speech therapy can help them relearn how to do so.
Occupational therapy is also used to help a child who is having trouble moving around, getting dressed, and cannot cope with their emotions. It is essential that children receive the therapy they need to prevent further problems or delays.
Get the Help You Need
If your child has suffered a brain injury at the hands of another, you can hire an attorney to walk you through the legal process. You may be able to recover compensation for medical malpractice or abuse that has occurred and left your child injured.
