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Michigan’s Premier Birth Injury Lawyers
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a type of brain injury that affects the white matter around the fluid-filled spaces (ventricles) of the brain. It is most commonly seen in premature infants, though it can occasionally occur in full-term babies.
White matter contains nerve fibers that transmit signals between different parts of the brain and spinal cord. In PVL, small areas of brain tissue around the ventricles die, creating holes or lesions. This damage can disrupt normal brain development and function, particularly affecting motor control.
Symptoms of PVL can range from mild to severe and may include:
Motor and Movement Issues:
- Cerebral palsy, particularly spastic diplegia (tightness and weakness in the legs)
- Difficulty with muscle control and coordination
- Stiff or tight muscles (spasticity)
- Delayed motor milestones (rolling over, sitting, crawling, walking)
Developmental Delays:
- Cognitive impairments or intellectual disabilities
- Learning difficulties
- Speech and language delays
Vision Problems:
- Visual impairments, including cortical visual impairment
- Problems with eye movement and coordination
Other Potential Issues:
- Seizures
- Behavioral difficulties
- Attention problems
Symptoms may not appear immediately at birth and often become more noticeable as the child grows and fails to meet developmental milestones.
Detroit-Area Hospital Systems Equipped with High-Risk Pregnancy Care
For mothers who may face a likelihood of birth complications, Detroit has several hospitals equipped for high-risk pregnancy care. These include:
Location: Multiple sites in Southeast Michigan, delivery at Hutzel Women’s Hospital
- Partnership with Children’s Hospital of Michigan Fetal Care Center
- Academic medical center with research focus
- Access to clinical trials and latest treatments
- Multidisciplinary team approach
- Services at DMC Hutzel, Children’s Hospital, and multiple outreach locations
Location: Multiple locations across Metro Detroit
- Maternal-fetal medicine specialists with advanced training
- Advanced prenatal diagnostic studies
- Treatment planning for pregnancy complications
- Home-like birthing centers
- Comprehensive high-risk pregnancy care
Location: Midtown Detroit
Specialty: Premier maternal-fetal medicine center with comprehensive IUGR care.
- Maternal Special Care Unit (only one in tri-county area for pregnant women needing advanced care)
- Maternal-fetal medicine specialists on staff
- Intrauterine fetal surgery and fetal transfusions (one of few hospitals nationally)
- Advanced ultrasound imaging and monitoring
- FIRST Trimester Screening for chromosomal abnormalities
- High-risk amniocentesis
- Partnership with Children’s Hospital of Michigan for neonatal care
- S. News & World Report ranked in obstetrics and gynecology
Additional DMC Birthing Centers:
- Harris Birthing Center at Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital (Commerce Township)
- Sinai-Grace Hospital Birthing Center (Northwest Detroit)
Location: Ann Arbor (Metro Detroit area)
- Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center
- Level IV NICU located within birth center
- Specialty clinics: cardio-obstetrics, metabolic health, psychiatry integration
- Minimally invasive fetal interventions
- Comprehensive high-risk pregnancy management
- Cutting-edge research in fetal anomalies
- Birth center integrated with children’s hospital
Medical Negligence That Can Cause PVL
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) can have an emotionally and financially devastating effect on mothers and families. Current medical bills and the cost of lifelong specialized care and therapy for the child can be overwhelming.
Medical negligence that can cause PVL includes:
- Delayed response to fetal distress
- Improper use of technology and medical equipment
- Failure to conduct diagnostic procedures in advance of and after delivery
- Failure to recognize red flags in premature infants
- Lack of appropriate training and oversight by medical institutions
These are just a few of many examples of negligence that a skilled Michigan birth injury lawyer could identify as causes of PVL in infants and children. If you suspect your child has PVL due to medical negligence, contact an attorney to learn more about your legal rights.
Support Groups for Detroit Parents Dealing with PVL
Parents dealing with birth injuries in infants and children can feel overwhelmed, lost, and hopeless. They need information and support, but don’t always know where to find it. Metro Detroit has several support groups and services for mothers and families dealing with difficult pregnancies, birth injuries, and infant/child fatality.
Some of these include:
- Mothering Justice
Website: motheringjustice.org
- Share Your Pregnancy and Infant Loss – Detroit Chapter
Website: nationalshare.org
- Detroit Perinatal Wellness Coalition
Website: detroitperinatalwellness.org
- Metro Detroit Share
Website: metrodetroitshare.org
Treatment for Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL)
Unfortunately, there is no cure for PVL, and the brain damage that has occurred cannot be reversed. However, treatment focuses on managing symptoms, maximizing function, and supporting the child’s development through early intervention and therapeutic services. Some of these treatments include:
Immediate Medical Management
Neonatal Care:
- Monitoring and stabilizing vital signs in premature or at-risk infants
- Maintaining adequate oxygen levels and blood pressure
- Preventing and treating infections
- Managing respiratory support
- Nutritional support to promote growth and brain development
Preventing Further Damage:
- Careful monitoring of blood pressure and oxygen saturation
- Managing complications like seizures or hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain)
- Treating any underlying infections
Therapeutic Interventions
Physical Therapy:
- Improves motor skills, muscle strength, and coordination
- Addresses spasticity and muscle tightness
- Helps with mobility and achieving developmental milestones
- May include stretching exercises, strengthening activities, and movement training
Occupational Therapy:
- Develops fine motor skills for daily activities (feeding, dressing, writing)
- Improves hand-eye coordination
- Teaches adaptive techniques and use of assistive devices
- Focuses on independence in daily living skills
Speech and Language Therapy:
- Addresses communication delays or difficulties
- Helps with speech articulation and language development
- Assists with feeding and swallowing problems (dysphagia)
- May include alternative communication methods if needed
Vision Therapy:
- Addresses visual impairments and processing difficulties
- Works on eye tracking and coordination
- Teaches compensatory strategies for vision problems
Detroit PBS’s “One Detroit” and The Detroit News Collaborate in a Study About Maternal Deaths in Detroit and Michigan
The Detroit News and Detroit PBS station’s “One Detroit” collaborated to examine Michigan’s maternal mortality crisis. The study focused on issues like provider bias and access to care for women in Detroit and the state. It compared programs like Wayne State University’s and California’s models, emphasizing improving listening to women and postpartum support. There are 80 to 90 maternal deaths in Michigan each year, state data shows.
The study highlighted critical data, including:
- Infant Mortality: Detroit’s infant mortality rate saw recent improvements (down to 11/1000 in 2019 from 16.7/1000 in 2018), but overall rates in Michigan remain a concern, ranking 34th nationally.
- Maternal Mortality: Black maternal mortality rates in Detroit are three times the national average, with preventable causes like lack of care and high blood pressure being major factors.
- Preterm Births: Detroit leads major U.S. cities in preterm births, with 1 in 7 babies born prematurely in 2020.
Feiger Law Aggressively Represents Mothers and Families Facing Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL)
At Fieger Law, we skillfully represent mothers, children, and families who have suffered Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) because of medical negligence.
When birth injuries occur, medical debt, stress, discouragement, and trauma can haunt families and children for years. We hold doctors and medical institutions accountable for the injury and distress that they’ve caused. Our birth injury lawyers are prepared to aggressively advocate for the compensation you deserve. We treat every client with respect, care, and dignity.
We have many satisfied clients, and we’re proud of our track record of success. To find out more about how we can help, contact us for a free initial consultation.
