Recent research has revealed that an early brain injury may be the root of autism. According to a report prepared by Princeton University, when dysfunction occurs early on in development – autism spectrum disorders may result. Specifically, if an injury occurs to a child's brain early on in its growth – including during the second and third trimester of pregnancy – the areas of the brain responsible for cognition may not develop properly.
When the injury occurs at birth, the likelihood of developing additional cognitive disorders increases significantly.
Suffering cognitive disorders such as autism is just one of the potential consequences of suffering a brain injury at birth. Where the injury is the result of negligence, you may be able to file a claim for medical malpractice. If you believe your child may have developed autism or any other cognitive harm as the result of a brain injury caused by negligent medical care, consulting with an experienced California birth injury attorney is important to determine your next steps.
According to recent research, the ability to form certain connections that help form "normal" interpersonal relationships will not grow and develop as they should if a brain injury occurs during certain "sensitive periods" when these connections are most vulnerable. The research further points toward prenatal factors as indicative of whether a child will develop autism.
A doctor associated with the study notes, ""The research evidence is consistent with the idea that by birth, nearly all of the risk that leads to [autism] has already occurred … There is certainly the possibility of postnatal risks, but to my knowledge the evidence for this is weak, and can usually be explained by some prenatal event."
This research underscores the need for competent and responsible prenatal medical care. For more information or if you believe that your child may have suffered a birth injury as the result of negligent or careless prenatal care, please contact the dedicated California birth injury lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.