• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cerebral Palsy Guidance

Answers and Assistance

877-862-8594phone iconCall
  • Cerebral Palsy
    • Types
    • Symptoms
    • Diagnosis
    • Prognosis
    • Causes
    • Associated Disorders
    • Gross Motor Classification System
    • Treatment
    • Life Expectancy
    • Myths
    • Risk Factors
    • Support Groups
    • Research
    • United Cerebral Palsy Association
    • Birth Injury Overview
  • Living With Cerebral Palsy
    • Daily Communication
    • Physical Fitness
    • Toilet Training Tips
    • Eating and Feeding Tips
    • Wheelchairs and Scooters
    • Walkers, Canes, and Standers
    • Falling Issues
    • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
    • Conductive Education
    • Tips For Better Sleeping
    • Traveling Tips
    • Sports
    • Bullying
    • Inclusive Playgrounds
    • Respite Care
    • Transitioning to Adulthood
    • Vocational Counseling
    • College Guide
    • Finding a Job
    • Having Children
    • Costs
  • Financial Assistance
    • Government Assistance
    • Special Education Assistance
    • Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
    • Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit
  • Our Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
doctor with baby
Home > Birth Injury Overview > Infant Brain Damage > Infant Brain Damage Treatment
Last Updated: March 11, 2022

Infant Brain Damage Treatment

Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, M.D.
Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, M.D.

This article has been fact checked by a Board Certified Pediatrician. Sources of information for the article are listed at the bottom.

For any content issues please Contact Us.

Infant brain damage treatment includes care for complications like developmental delays, cognitive impairments, or conditions like cerebral palsy.[1] Some of the treatments available include surgery, physical and occupational therapy, medications, and hypothermic therapy.

About Infant Brain Damage

Infants may suffer brain damage for various reasons, many stemming from mistakes and complications of childbirth. Asphyxia is a leading cause and occurs when an infant is deprived of oxygen for a significant period of time.

This may result from complications with the umbilical cord or placenta because of illness in the mother or when a child’s head becomes lodged in the pelvis during labor.[2]

Get Matched with a Leading Birth InjuryCerebral Palsy Attorney in Your Area

Get Help Now

Infant brain damage treatments are most effective then the damage is recognized and diagnosed immediately. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen because symptoms may be mild or only become evident as a child grows.

If brain damage is noticeable immediately after birth, interventions like surgery or hypothermic treatment may be options. If a doctor does not diagnose brain damage until later, a child may need various therapies and educational interventions to treat the symptoms rather than the actual brain damage.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is usually only a valid infant brain damage treatment when the damage is caused by severe head trauma. A skull fracture or bleeding on the brain, for instance, can be treated with surgery.

This kind of damage may be caused by a difficult delivery or inappropriate use of instruments during delivery.[3]

Bleeding on the brain is called a hemorrhage, and it is often treated by draining the blood or other fluids that collect in and put pressure on the brain. A skull fracture may or may not need surgical treatment depending on the type or severity.

Hypothermia Treatment

One of the newest and most innovative treatments for infant brain damage is called hypothermic treatment and involves cooling the baby’s brain to prevent or reverse the damage. A study conducted in 2009 found that most babies at risk for brain damage benefited from this treatment.

It is thought that cooling the brain prevents the formation of harmful substances. These substances may be responsible for killing cells in the brain.

Hypothermia treatment uses cooling to lower a baby’s body temperature from 98.6 degrees to 92.3 degrees. This lower temperature is maintained for about 72 hours. The treatment can be used in any newborn suspected of having suffered brain damage during birth.[4]

Babies who have undergone the treatment were found to have fewer complications of brain damage when examined at 18 months. It remains to be seen if the positive effects of the treatment will last longer than that.

Medications

Depending on the symptoms of brain damage in an infant, medications may be a part of the treatment plan. For instance, seizures may result from brain damage and can be treated with anti-seizure medications. [5]

As a child gets older and struggles with developmental or behavioral challenges due to brain damage, medications can help.

For instance, drugs used to treat ADHD may help children with brain damage control their impulses and aggressive behaviors and help them focus and concentrate in school and other settings.

Physical Therapy

For children who live with the consequences of infant brain damage over the long term, various types of therapy can help manage and improve symptoms. Physical therapy can help a child learn to move more easily and reduce pain.

Physical therapy may include strength training, flexibility exercises, training for coordination and balance, massage, thermal treatments, and exercises to help move joints.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy may also be a treatment for the symptoms of brain damage. This type of therapy helps children learn how to overcome the challenges that the damage has left them with.

A therapist may help a child learn how to use the bathroom, perform typical hygiene practices, use pencils or tablets, learn how to eat without assistance, and do other ordinary tasks that most of us take for granted. These therapists can also help children learn to use adaptive equipment like wheelchairs.

Educational Interventions

Many children with brain damage caused in infancy will grow up to have cognitive deficits or learning disabilities. However, these do not have to hold them back, and educational interventions, especially applied early, can help them catch up to their peers.

For instance, speech and language therapy can help a child struggling to talk or learn new vocabulary at a typical rate.

Infant brain damage treatment depends on individual factors with each child. Quick interventions like surgery or hypothermic treatment can help when brain damage is immediately recognizable. When it is not so obvious and only appears as developmental symptoms later, various types of treatment can help a child recover.

If your child is struggling because of brain damage, know that there are treatment options that can help. Also, know that if someone was responsible for your child’s brain damage because of medical malpractice, you have options to seek compensation. An experienced malpractice lawyer can help you file a lawsuit and get the compensation your child needs.

Get Matched with a Leading Birth InjuryCerebral Palsy Attorney in Your Area

Get Help Now

References

  1. Brain injury in newborns could have many causes. (2014, May 14). World & Local Health, Disease & Science News in Sarasota, FL.
    Retrieved from: https://health.heraldtribune.com/2014/05/13/brain-injury-newborns-many-causes/
  2. Head or Brain Injury. (n.d.). Boston Children's Hospital.
    Retrieved from: https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/h/head-or-brain-injury
  3. Intervention for infants with brain injury: Results of a randomized controlled study. (n.d.). PubMed Central (PMC).
    Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2700252/
  4. Song M.D., S., & Lyden M.D., FAAN, FAHA, P. (2012, December 14). Overview of Therapeutic Hypothermia. PubMed Central (PMC)
    Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3519955/
  5. Webb, PsyD, N. (n.d.). Pharmacotherapy for pediatric traumatic brain injury. https://www.apadivisions.org.
    Retrieved from: https://www.apadivisions.org/division-55/publications/tablet/2015/12/pediatric-brain-injury
View All References
Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, M.D.

Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, M.D.

Dr. Poinsett is a board certified pediatrician. She is a graduate of The University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, and has over 20 years of clinical experience. She has extensive experience in the case management of children with special mental health and physical health care needs, including developmental disabilities.

See Full Bio

Navigate This Page
  • Infant Brain Damage
  • Surgical Treatment
  • Hypothermia Treatment
  • Medications
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Educational Interventions

Primary Sidebar

Get Matched with a Leading Birth InjuryCerebral Palsy Attorney in Your Area

Get Help Now
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy in Newborns
Cerebral Palsy in Toddlers
Severe Cerebral Palsy
Types of Cerebral Palsy
Ataxic
Atonic (Hypotonic)
Dyskinetic Athetoid
Dystonic
Hypertonic
Mixed
Non-Spastic
Spastic
Spastic Diplegia
Spastic Hemiplegia
Spastic Quadriplegia
Cerebral Palsy Symptoms
How Cerebral Palsy Affects the Brain and Body Parts
Cerebral Palsy Causes
Birth Asphyxia
Prolonged Labor
Delayed C-Section
Forceps Delivery Injuries
Vacuum Extractor Injuries
Nuchal Cord Birth Injuries
Uterine Rupture and Birth Injury
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH)
Failure to Diagnose
Chorioamnionitis
Improper NICU Care
Traumatic Brain Injury
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
Hydrocephalus
Pitocin Errors
Anesthesia Errors
Infertility Drugs
Cerebral Dysgenesis and Cerebral Palsy
Jaundice
Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL)
Placental Problems
Epidural Hematoma
Perinatal Stroke
Acquired Brain Injuries and Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy Associated Disorders
Mobility Issues
Pain
Cognitive Issues
Developmental Delays
Cerebral Palsy and Post-Impairment Syndrome
Seizures
Epilepsy
Malnutrition
Respiratory Health
Hearing Problems
Vision Impairment
Arthritis
Depression
Sleep Issues
Dysphagia
Oral Health Issues
Skin Conditions
Digestive Issues and Health
Emotional Issues
Behavioral Disorders
Autism
Down Syndrome
ADHD
Diabetes
Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis
Imaging Tests
Cerebral Palsy Prognosis
Cerebral Palsy Gross Motor Classification System
Cerebral Palsy Treatment
Cerebral Palsy Specialists
Nutrition Therapy
Chiropractic Care
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Medications
Seizure Medications
Anticonvulsants
Muscle Relaxants
Stem Cell Therapy
Surgery
Aquatic Therapy
Acupuncture Therapy
Botox Treatment
Hippotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech Therapy
Massage Therapy
Physical Therapy
Homeopathy
Yoga
Pilates
Intensive Suit Therapy
Medical Marijuana
Functional Electrical Stimulation
Osteopathic Manipulation
Anat Baniel Method and NeuroMovement
Pet Therapy
Cerebral Palsy Cure
Cerebral Palsy Life Expectancy
Cerebral Palsy Risk Factors
High-Risk Pregnancy
Risk Factor Causal Pathways
Premature Birth
Birth Complications
Post-term Pregnancy
Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Maternal and Fetal Infections
Blood Type Incompatibility
Multiple Births
Parental Habits and Health
Cerebral Palsy Support Groups and Organizations
Cerebral Palsy Research
Cerebral Palsy History
Facts and Statistics
Prevalence and Incidence
Cerebral Palsy Myths
Cerebral Palsy Prevention
Cerebral Palsy Misdiagnosis
United Cerebral Palsy Association
Living With Cerebral Palsy
Costs
Orthopedic Health
Neurological Health
Daily Communication
Physical Fitness
Abuse
Toilet Training Tips
Eating and Feeding Tips
Wheelchairs and Scooters
Wheelchair-accessible Vans
Walkers, Canes, and Standers
Adaptive Bikes
Affordable Transportation
Assistive Technology
Falling Issues
Home Modifications
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Conductive Education
Tips For Better Sleeping
Traveling Tips
Sports
Bullying
Inclusive Playgrounds
Respite Care
Faith
Engaging in the Arts
Transitioning to Adulthood
LGBT
Vocational Counseling
College Guide
Teacher Tips for Inclusive Classrooms
Finding a Job
Having Children
Veterans
Fostering or Adopting a Child with CP
Enjoying the Great Outdoors
Emergency Preparedness
Financial Assistance
Government Assistance
Title V MCH Benefits
Special Education Assistance
Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
Alabama
Huntsville
Alaska
Anchorage
Arizona
Phoenix
Arkansas
Little Rock
California
Los Angeles
Colorado
Denver
Connecticut
Bridgeport
Delaware
Wilmington
Florida
Jacksonville
Georgia
Atlanta
Hawaii
Honolulu
Idaho
Boise
Illinois
Chicago
Indiana
Indianapolis
Iowa
Des Moines
Kansas
Wichita
Kentucky
Louisville
Louisiana
New Orleans
Maine
Portland, Maine
Maryland
Baltimore
Massachusetts
Boston
Michigan
Detroit
Minnesota
Minneapolis
Mississippi
Jackson
Missouri
Kansas City
Montana
Billings
Nebraska
Omaha
Nevada
Las Vegas
New Hampshire
Manchester
New Jersey
Newark
New Mexico
Albuquerque
New York
New York City
North Carolina
Charlotte
North Dakota
Fargo
Ohio
Columbus
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City
Oregon
Portland
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
Rhode Island
Providence
South Carolina
Columbia
South Dakota
Sioux Falls
Tennessee
Nashville
Texas
Houston
Utah
Salt Lake City
Vermont
Burlington
Virginia
Virginia Beach
Washington
Seattle
West Virginia
Charleston
Wisconsin
Milwaukee
Wyoming
Cheyenne
Medical Malpractice
Claim for Compensation
Lawsuit
Settlement
Statute of Limitations
Life Care Plan
Goals
Evaluation
Diagnosis
Care Team
Record Keeping and Documents
Birth Injury
Treatment
Causes
Failure to Monitor
Symptoms
Prognosis
Lawyer
Settlement
Lawsuit
Claim for Compensation
Infant Skull Fracture
Treatment
Symptoms
Causes
Prognosis
Lawyer
Settlement
Lawsuit
Claim for Compensation
Infant Brain Damage
Prognosis
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Lawyer
Lawsuit
Claim for Compensation
Settlement
Infant Wrongful Death
Causes
Intrauterine Fetal Demise (Stillbirth)
Claim for Compensation
Lawyer
Settlement
Lawsuit
Grieving the Loss of a Baby
Erb’s Palsy
Symptoms
Prognosis
Treatment
Causes
Lawyer
Settlement
Lawsuit
Claim for Compensation
Brachial Plexus Injury
Causes
Prognosis
Symptoms
Treatment
Lawyer
Lawsuit
Settlement
Claim for Compensation
Klumpke’s Palsy
Lawyer
Lawsuit

© 2023 CerebralPalsyGuidance.com · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer

The information provided by CerebralPalsyGuidance.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Living With Cerebral Palsy
  • Financial Assistance
  • Our Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
210 W. Division St. Syracuse, NY 13204

We provide nationwide assistance

Facebook Twitter
Learn About Our Editorial Guidelines