What Causes a Stroke in Utero? Know Your Rights and Fight For Justice

Finding out your newborn has suffered a stroke is a moment that stops time. It is a terrifying reality that no parent is ever prepared to face. Instead of simply celebrating your baby’s arrival, you are suddenly thrown into a world of medical monitors, specialist appointments, and a mountain of questions.

The most pressing question usually starts with “why.” You did everything right during your pregnancy. You took your vitamins, went to every check-up, and protected your growing baby with everything you had. So, what causes a stroke in utero?

If your baby has experienced a stroke in utero, questions and uncertainty can feel endless. At Hodes Milman, we help uncover the answers you deserve. You can reach us any time at (949) 640-8222 or submit your situation through our online form. We’ll review everything with care, explain what options may be available, and stand by your side.

What Is a Perinatal Stroke?

It is a stroke that happens anytime between the middle of pregnancy and the first month after a baby is born.

When this occurs while the baby is still in the womb, it is often referred to as a CVA in utero (Cerebrovascular Accident). Just like in adults, a stroke happens when the blood supply to a portion of the brain is cut off or reduced. This deprives the brain of oxygen, which can cause damage to brain tissue.

How Common Is Perinatal Stroke?

Perinatal stroke affects roughly 1 in every 1,000 to 3,000 live births. While these numbers may seem small, for the families affected, the reality is far more significant. Perinatal strokes are the leading cause of cerebral palsy in newborns and account for about one-quarter of all childhood strokes.

The impact can be profound. Studies show that around 65% of children who experience a perinatal stroke will develop permanent neurological challenges. 

The risk of stroke is highest during the perinatal period, roughly 17 times higher than in later childhood, making this a critical time for monitoring, diagnosis, and intervention. 

Exploring the Source: What Causes a Stroke in Utero?

When we look into what causes a stroke in utero, the answer is rarely simple. Most of the time, it is the result of multiple factors interacting, involving the mother’s health, the baby’s health, and the placenta, which serves as the baby’s lifeline.

1. Blood Clots and Placental Problems

The placenta delivers oxygen and nutrients essential for a baby’s growth. But if a blood clot forms in the placenta, it can travel through the umbilical cord into the baby’s circulation. If the clot reaches the brain, it can block blood flow and trigger a stroke.

Other placental complications can also increase risk:

• Placental abruption – when the placenta separates from the uterus before delivery, reducing blood and oxygen flow.
• Placental thrombosis – clotting within the placental or uterine veins that blocks circulation.
• Fetomaternal hemorrhage – bleeding that deprives the baby of oxygenated blood.
• Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome – uneven blood flow between twins can cause oxygen deprivation and stroke risk.
• Prolonged rupture of membranes or chorioamnionitis – infections or prolonged exposure can trigger inflammation, brain bleeds, or clot formation.

2. Maternal Health and Blood Disorders

Sometimes, the mother or baby may have a clotting disorder that makes blood more likely to clot. If this is undiagnosed, a small clot can have devastating consequences.

Other maternal conditions that increase risk include:

• Preeclampsia – high blood pressure and organ stress during pregnancy can reduce blood flow to the baby.
• Gestational diabetes or unmanaged diabetes – may lead to overly large babies, reduced placental blood flow, or vessel dysfunction.
• Infections – certain bacterial or viral infections can trigger inflammatory responses.
• Substance use – drugs like cocaine can constrict arteries and reduce oxygen supply to the placenta and baby.

3. Problems During Labor and Delivery

Labor is stressful for a baby. Certain complications can suddenly decrease oxygen or blood flow to the brain:

• Hypoxic-ischemic events – oxygen deprivation during labor (also called birth asphyxia or HIE) can trigger strokes.
• Trauma – prolonged labor, repeated contractions, or assisted deliveries using forceps or vacuum can compress the baby’s head, stretch or tear blood vessels, and cause brain bleeds.
• Macrosomia – larger babies may face a higher risk of trauma during vaginal delivery.
• Delayed response to fetal distress – if doctors or nurses miss warning signs or delay a C-section when necessary, the baby’s risk of stroke rises.

4. Congenital Conditions

Some strokes result from pre-existing issues in the baby, including:

• Congenital heart defects – irregular blood flow can increase stroke risk.
• Inherited clotting disorders – some babies are born with conditions that make blood more likely to clot.

Even though some of the factors that contribute to a stroke in utero are completely out of a medical professional’s control, these risks should always be on a doctor’s radar. Every maternal health condition, every change in fetal movement, every irregular heart rate is a signal that demands attention. When those warning signs are missed or dismissed, what might have been a preventable stroke becomes a lifelong challenge.

At Hodes Milman, we help families explore these critical questions. If you believe your baby’s stroke may have been linked to medical negligence, you have the right to seek answers. Call us any time at (949) 640-8222 or submit your case through our online form.

Could Your Baby’s Stroke in Utero Have Been Prevented?

It is a painful thought, but it is one that must be explored: what can cause a stroke in utero that was actually avoidable?

Medical malpractice isn’t always a single dramatic mistake in the operating room. Often, it’s a series of smaller “misses” that, taken together, can have devastating consequences. Some of the most common examples include:

• Failure to Monitor: During labor, doctors are expected to closely watch the baby’s heart rate. A sudden drop in heart rate can signal oxygen deprivation. Ignoring this warning can allow a stroke to occur.
• Ignoring Maternal Warnings: If a mother shows signs of high blood pressure, infection, or other complications and is sent home without proper testing or intervention, that is a failure of the standard of care.
• Improper Use of Tools: Forceps or vacuum devices can be life-saving, but using them with too much force or inappropriately can injure the baby’s head, causing bleeding in the brain.
• Delayed Response to Placental Complications: Conditions like placental abruption, where the placenta separates from the uterus before delivery, require immediate action. Signs like vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, decreased fetal movement, or early labor symptoms must never be ignored.

The Long-Term Effects of Perinatal Stroke

Because a baby’s brain is still developing, the long-term effects of perinatal stroke may not become fully apparent for months or even years. The impact varies widely, depending on the location, size, and severity of the stroke, as well as whether your baby was born full-term or prematurely.

Some early signs parents may notice include delays in crawling, sitting up, or favoring one hand over the other. As children grow, the effects of a stroke in utero can include:

• Cerebral Palsy (CP): One of the most common outcomes, CP affects a child’s movement, muscle tone, and balance. Studies show that 30-68% of children who experience a perinatal stroke develop CP.
• Seizures and Epilepsy: Many children who have suffered a fetal stroke go on to develop seizures.
• Speech and Learning Delays: Depending on the part of the brain affected, children may experience challenges with talking, comprehension, reading, or other milestones.
• Behavioral and Neuropsychological Disorders: Some children may struggle with attention, memory, or emotional regulation.
• Motor Impairments: Weakness on one side of the body, difficulties with coordination, and challenges with fine motor skills are common, particularly when the stroke affects motor regions of the brain.

Perinatal Stroke Life Expectancy

For most children who survive a perinatal stroke, life expectancy is generally not significantly shortened. Many children go on to live full, long lives.

However, the first few months can be the most critical. Studies show that the highest risk of mortality occurs within the first six months after birth, often related to severe complications or extensive brain injury. Once a child passes this early period, the focus shifts to managing lifelong neurological challenges rather than a shortened lifespan.

While a perinatal stroke may alter the path your child takes, it does not necessarily shorten it. 

Treating Perinatal Stroke

Treating a stroke that occurs in utero is challenging. Because the baby is still in the womb, direct interventions are extremely limited. Most of the focus begins immediately after birth, when doctors can monitor and manage the effects of the stroke. 

Once a perinatal stroke is suspected or diagnosed, medical teams typically take several steps to stabilize and protect the baby’s brain:

• Monitoring and Support: Continuous monitoring of vital signs, oxygen levels, and heart function to ensure the baby is stable. Some infants may require oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation if breathing is difficult.
• Preventing Further Clots: In cases where blood clotting is a concern, medications to reduce clotting may be prescribed to prevent additional strokes.
• Seizure Management: Many babies who experience a stroke develop seizures, which may require anticonvulsant medications for management.
• Cooling Therapy (Therapeutic Hypothermia): In some cases, lowering the baby’s body or head temperature for a short period can reduce further brain injury.

After the baby is stabilized, long-term care focuses on managing neurological, motor, and developmental challenges. Treatment plans are highly individualized and may include:

• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy

However, these therapies can be very expensive and ongoing for years. Families shouldn’t have to scramble to cover the cost of essential care when a preventable medical mistake caused their child’s injury. When a professional’s oversight leads to a stroke, Hodes Milman will help your family demand accountability and resources to ensure your child receives the care they need without financial strain.

Hodes Milman: Because Every Child Deserves a Fighting Chance

Knowing what can cause a stroke in utero is about your child’s future.

If your child’s stroke was caused by a medical error, the “system” shouldn’t get to walk away while you are left with a lifetime of medical bills. Bringing a legal case is often the only way for families to afford the intensive therapies and specialized schooling their children need to thrive.

At Hodes Milman, we’ve spent over 30 years helping families in Southern California and beyond. With more than $200 million recovered for our clients, we have the experience, resources, and trial record to take on hospitals and insurers. Call our team today at (949) 640-8222 or fill out our confidential online form.