How Common are Birth Injuries and Birth Defects?

Common Birth Injuries

Last updated Feb. 27, 2018. The terms “birth injury” and “birth defect” cover a wide range of potential issues that can arise during pregnancy and delivery. They’re scary words — you want your new arrival to be perfectly healthy and happy and the specter of potential health problems can cause you a lot of stress. […]

My baby was injured by a toy. What are my rights?

We try to provide the safest possible environment for our little ones. We baby-proof our homes and pools, buy the right car seats, and serve the right foods. We also buy toys specifically designed for babies, but sometimes those designs aren’t as safe as they claim. When your child is injured by a toy, what […]

Cold Sores and Your Baby: What You Need to Know

Cold Sores and Babies
Article at a Glance
  • Cold sores are caused by one of the herpes simplex viruses, HSV-1. There's no cure for the virus, and even if you don't have symptoms or an actual cold sore, you can still spread it.
  • While rare, HSV-1 infections in newborns can be deadly, causing severe brain damage. This includes transmission during birth through the vaginal canal, or by kissing a newborn baby on the face or sharing a toy or cup.
  • You can protect your baby from a cold sore by working with your OB/GYN if you know you have HSV-1 and avoiding a vaginal birth, as well as keeping baby away from adults who have cold sores. While it is more contagious when a person has an active cold sore, remember that the virus can still spread even without one.

Article at a Glance Cold sores are caused by one of the herpes simplex viruses, HSV-1. There’s no cure for the virus, and even if you don’t have symptoms or an actual cold sore, you can still spread it. While rare, HSV-1 infections in newborns can be deadly, causing severe brain damage. This includes transmission […]