Why Some Birth Injuries Go Undiagnosed for Years

The moments after a baby is born are filled with joy, relief, and new beginnings. Yet, for some families, medical challenges appear long after leaving the hospital. While some birth injuries are immediately noticeable at birth, that’s not always the case. Instead, certain conditions become noticeable months or years later when symptoms worsen or developmental milestones are missed.

This delay in diagnosis can leave parents confused, worried, and searching for answers. Understanding why some birth injuries are not immediately identified, the conditions most often discovered later, and how legal action may help can give families clarity and direction.

Why Some Birth Injuries Are Missed at Birth

Not all birth injuries are visible or symptomatic right after delivery. There are several reasons why doctors or parents may not recognize them right away:

1. Subtle Early Symptoms

Some injuries begin with mild signs that do not immediately raise red flags. For example, a baby may show slight stiffness in an arm or mild feeding difficulty. These can be mistaken for temporary issues rather than signs of a more serious condition.

2. Developmental Milestones Reveal Problems

Many conditions only reveal themselves as a child grows. Parents may not notice a neurological or muscular problem until their baby fails to roll over, crawl, or walk at expected ages.

3. Lack of Immediate Testing

Hospitals often run basic newborn checks but may not conduct advanced neurological or imaging tests unless clear problems appear. Without early testing, certain injuries go undetected until much later.

4. Misdiagnosis or Dismissal

Sometimes doctors reassure parents that unusual symptoms are “normal” or that children will “grow out of it.” These misjudgments can delay proper treatment and create long-term consequences.

Birth Injuries Commonly Diagnosed Later

While some birth injuries, such as bone fractures, are identified at birth, others may not surface until months or years later. These conditions typically include:

Cerebral Palsy

One of the most common delayed-diagnosis birth injuries is cerebral palsy (CP). Symptoms often include poor muscle coordination, developmental delays, and difficulty with movement. Parents may first notice issues when their child misses milestones like sitting, crawling, or walking.

Erb’s Palsy

Another condition that may not be obvious right away is Erb’s palsy, which is caused by nerve damage to the brachial plexus. Babies may have limited use of one arm, but the extent of the injury may only become clear as they grow.

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

HIE is a brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen during birth. In some cases, the immediate effects are not recognized. Later, children may experience seizures, motor delays, or learning difficulties that reveal the condition.

Developmental Delays from Oxygen Deprivation

Not all oxygen-related brain injuries present as cerebral palsy or HIE. Some children may experience cognitive delays, speech delays, or behavioral challenges that trace back to complications during labor or delivery.

Speech and Cognitive Impairments

Speech delays, memory problems, or difficulty concentrating may emerge years later during school. These conditions are often linked back to birth complications.

How Delayed Diagnosis Affects Families

A delayed diagnosis of a birth injury can have serious consequences. Without immediate intervention, a child may miss out on early therapies that could have improved their outcome. Parents may also feel guilt, stress, or frustration when told the condition could have been detected earlier.

Financial strain is another major factor. Ongoing care for a child with a birth injury can include:

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Surgeries or medical equipment
Special education services
Lifelong medical care

These costs add up quickly, creating financial and emotional challenges for families suddenly thrust into a new normal.

When Medical Negligence May Be Involved

Not every delayed diagnosis is the result of medical malpractice. However, some cases happen because doctors, nurses, or hospitals failed to meet the standard of care owed to both mom and baby. Common examples include:

Failing to monitor fetal distress during labor
Using excessive force with forceps or vacuum extractors
Not ordering appropriate tests after a complicated birth
Dismissing parents’ concerns about unusual symptoms

When negligence causes or contributes to a child’s injury, families may have the right to pursue a birth injury lawsuit.

How Legal Action Can Help Families

Legal action cannot undo a birth injury, but it can provide necessary resources to support a child’s future. A birth injury lawsuit may help secure compensation for:

Medical bills and future care costs
Therapy and rehabilitation expenses
Special education support
Pain and suffering
Loss of earning potential in adulthood

Holding hospitals and doctors accountable also helps prevent similar mistakes from happening to other families.

What Parents Should Do If They Suspect a Birth Injury

If your child has recently been diagnosed with a medical condition that may have started at birth, here are key steps to take:

Request Full Medical Records – Get copies of prenatal, labor, and delivery records as well as pediatric evaluations.
Track Developmental Milestones – Document delays or unusual behaviors that may indicate neurological or muscular problems.
Seek Specialist Care – Ask for referrals to neurologists, orthopedists, or other specialists to confirm the diagnosis.
Contact a Birth Injury Lawyer – An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can investigate whether negligence caused your child’s injury and explain your legal options.

Why Choose Anapol Weiss for Your Birth Injury Claim?

At Anapol Weiss, we understand the heartbreak of learning your child has a condition that might have been prevented. Our experienced birth injury attorneys have handled complex cases, uncovering medical errors and fighting for the justice families deserve.

We work with medical experts to analyze delivery records, identify negligence, and build strong cases. Most importantly, we approach every family with compassion and respect, knowing the enormous challenges you face.

Call Anapol Weiss Today for a Free Consultation

If your child’s birth injury was not diagnosed until months or years later, you may still have legal options. Don’t wait, as time limits still apply to filing medical malpractice claims. Learn more in our blog, What Should I Know About Filing a Birth Injury Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

Call Anapol Weiss at 866-944-0553 or fill out our online contact form today for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and fight to secure the resources your child needs for the future. Your child deserves every opportunity for a healthy, fulfilling life, and we are here to help. We represent families in Allentown, Coopersburg, Philadelphia, Nazareth and throughout Pennsylvania.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.

Why Are Some Birth Injuries Not Diagnosed Until Later?