When a newborn experiences seizures, it is one of the most frightening things a parent can witness.
In those first hours and days of life, every twitch and sound feels significant, but seizures often signal that something is seriously wrong.
What can cause a baby to have seizures after birth? In some cases, these medical emergencies result from complications that no one could have prevented. In others, they may trace back to mistakes during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
When you know what can cause seizures after birth, and when those causes might point to medical negligence, that can help you make better decisions about a possible birth injury claim in Kentucky.
What Causes Newborn Seizures?
In 2024, there were 3,622,673 live births in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, some of those infants may have experienced a seizure.
A seizure in a baby means that something has disrupted normal brain activity. Since a newborn’s brain is still developing, it can be sensitive to injury or lack of oxygen. Some of the most common reasons seizures occur in newborns include:
Oxygen Deprivation
When a baby does not get enough oxygen before, during, or immediately after birth, brain cells can become damaged within minutes. This condition is known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and it is one of the leading causes of neonatal seizures.
Umbilical cord compression, placental abruption, or a delayed C-section can all cause dangerous oxygen loss. Medical teams are trained to monitor fetal distress and act fast when oxygen levels drop.
When they fail to do so, and that inaction leads to harm, it may amount to medical negligence.
Head Trauma During Delivery
Forceful or complicated deliveries can injure a baby’s head. Improper use of tools like forceps or vacuum extractors may cause bruising, bleeding, or fractures that lead to seizures. While these tools can be necessary in difficult births, they must be used carefully and in accordance with accepted medical guidelines.
Infections Before or After Birth
Certain infections, such as meningitis, encephalitis, or Group B strep, can cause inflammation in a newborn’s brain, triggering seizures.
Doctors are responsible for screening mothers for infections during pregnancy and treating both mother and baby promptly if any signs appear. Missed diagnoses or delayed treatment can have life-changing consequences.
Blood Sugar or Electrolyte Imbalances
Low blood sugar or imbalances in minerals like sodium and calcium can cause a baby’s brain to misfire, resulting in seizures. These problems are most common in premature or low-birth-weight babies, but they can occur in any newborn. Hospitals should test at-risk infants and correct these levels right away.
Stroke or Brain Bleeding
While it is rare, newborns can suffer strokes due to a blocked blood vessel or bleeding in the brain.
Some of these risk factors include maternal high blood pressure, clotting issues, or trauma during delivery. A stroke may cause seizures within hours or days of birth.
What Are the Signs of a Seizure in a Newborn?
Seizures in babies do not always look the way they do in adults. The signs can be subtle and easy to overlook. Parents might notice:
- Repetitive facial movements, like blinking or lip smacking
- Jerking or stiffening of the arms or legs
- Unusual pauses in breathing
- Eyes that roll upward or to one side
- Sudden limpness or stiffness
If any of these behaviors appear, especially in combination, doctors should run immediate tests to find the cause. Quick diagnosis and treatment can make a tremendous difference in recovery.
When do Medical Mistakes Play a Role in Birth Injuries?
Not every seizure after birth is due to malpractice, but some are. When healthcare providers fail to adhere to proper standards of care, their errors can result in devastating outcomes.
Some examples include:
- Ignoring signs of fetal distress on the monitor
- Delaying an emergency C-section when oxygen deprivation is likely
- Improper use of delivery tools
- Failing to identify or treat maternal infections
- Neglecting to test a newborn’s blood sugar or electrolyte levels
If a preventable mistake caused or contributed to your baby’s seizures, the medical team may be legally responsible for the harm that followed.
How Do Birth Injury Claims Work in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, parents can file a birth injury claim if a doctor, nurse, or hospital’s negligence caused their child’s injury. These cases rely on medical records, expert analysis, and testimony. Your legal team will need to show that:
- A medical relationship existed.
- The provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care.
- That failure directly caused the injury.
- The family suffered measurable losses, like medical bills, long-term therapy costs, and emotional distress.
What Parents Should Do Next
If your baby has experienced seizures after birth, the first step is to request all medical records related to your pregnancy, labor, delivery, and any NICU treatment. These records provide a detailed timeline of care. They can also reveal whether warning signs were missed or proper procedures weren’t followed.
You may even want to consult a pediatric neurologist for an independent evaluation. A specialist can help determine the cause of the seizures, assess the extent of any neurological injury, and guide your child’s ongoing care. As you begin to process everything, take time to write down your own memories of labor and delivery while they are still fresh.
Even small details, such as what nurses said, how long certain procedures took, or when you noticed something was wrong, can make a difference in your case.
Finally, consider speaking with a birth injury attorney who has experience handling medical malpractice cases in Kentucky. A skilled lawyer can review your medical records and help you determine whether negligence played a role in your baby’s condition.
Even if you are uncertain about pursuing a claim, having someone explain your options can bring clarity and peace of mind during an incredibly emotional and uncertain time.
No parent should ever have to wonder whether their child’s suffering could have been prevented.
If your family is facing this situation, help is available from Peterson Law Office. We can get you answers and take steps toward protecting your child’s future.