Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a condition that appears as a bright red patch in the white part of the eye. In infants, it often occurs as the result of trauma during labor and birth, appearing alongside with other types of birth injuries.
At Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C., we provide compassionate, professional legal representation for parents of infants who were injured either before, during, or after birth. Our experienced birth injury attorneys understand the serious ramifications these injuries can have on your child, both now and in the future, and can assist you in getting the compensation you need to meet any future expenses that arise.
What Causes Subconjunctival Hemorrhage?
According to the Mayo Clinic, subconjunctival hemorrhage results when tiny blood vessels break under the surface of the eye, in the area known as the conjunctiva. The blood gets trapped and appears as a red patch in the sclera, which is the white part of the eye.
Subconjunctival hemorrhage may feel scratchy or irritated, but it is generally not a painful condition and often clears up on its own within a week or so. Your doctor may check your baby’s heart rate and perform a routine blood test to avoid complications and rule out any underlying disorders, and may recommend saline eye drops to relieve any dryness or discomfort.
The Connection Between Birth Injuries and Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a relatively harmless form of birth injury, but it can have complications, and it is often just one of several conditions which result from birth trauma. Medscape advises that while these injuries typically happen in only a small percentage of deliveries, they can occur in any of the following situations:
- During a prolonged, difficult labor, where the baby’s head is pressured by the force of the mother’s contractions;
- In breech delivery, which requires the doctor to manually reposition the infant;
- During instrumental deliveries, where forceps or vacuum extraction methods are used;
- As the result of resuscitation efforts immediately after birth.
Medscape states that as many as half of all birth injuries could potentially have been avoided, had the obstetric team involved taken the proper precautions. Doctors, hospitals, and medical staff who fail to recognize risks during delivery or exert too much pressure on the newborn can be held legally liable for any injuries that occur.
Our Birth Injury Attorneys Can Help You Today
If your baby has suffered a subconjunctival hemorrhage or other birth trauma, contact Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. today. Our birth injury attorneys can advise you on how to hold negligent medical providers responsible for the harm done to your child, while assisting you in getting the compensation you need to help them recover.
