Can birth trauma cause epilepsy?

For Every Birth. For Every Baby. For Every Family.

What you’ll find in this guide:

• Details of what epilepsy is and how common it is worldwide.
• An overview of seizure symptoms.
• An exploration of whether birth trauma can cause epilepsy, including insights from the World Health Organization and a summary of key research.
• A breakdown of how birth asphyxia occurs, including risk factors.
• Information on neonatal seizures.
• A discussion on epilepsy in mothers after giving birth, including the rare condition known as new onset epilepsy.
• Guidance on epilepsy compensation claims.

What is epilepsy?

When assessing whether birth injury or birth trauma can cause epilepsy it is important to understand what epilepsy is.

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease which is noncommunicable and is thought to affect over 50 million people around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) around 50% of people who are affected by the disease do not know the cause – this is known as idiopathic epilepsy. People who suffer from idiopathic epilepsy often require complex treatment pathways.

Epilepsy can cause recurring and unprovoked seizures and an individual may be diagnosed with the disorder following one or two unprovoked seizures. It’s important to note that not all seizures are epilepsy-related, and often the causes of seizures are completely unknown.

Symptoms of a seizure can be wide ranging and can include:

• Staring
• Jolting movements of both arms and legs
• The body stiffening
• Losing consciousness
• Difficulty breathing or stopping breathing completely
• Losing control of bladder and bowel movements
• A sudden fall, particularly when linked to a loss of consciousness
• Being unresponsive to noises or words
• Confusion or appearing dazed
• Rhythmically nodding of the head
• Rapidly blinking or staring

Can birth injury cause epilepsy?

According to the the World Health Organization, causes of epilepsy can include brain damage at birth due to a lack of oxygen or birth trauma, genetics, stroke, infection of the brain, or a brain tumour.

What does the research say?

Research into the connection between epilepsy and birth trauma has been carried out for over a century, with published research dating back to 1862. It is thought that idiopathic epilepsy is developed because of birth trauma, and it is probable that over 50% of other epilepsy cases are linked to birth injury or asphyxia.

From this research it can be said that children can develop epilepsy from birth when they have suffered trauma during delivery. To develop the disorder, brain damage would be caused to the baby from prenatal or perinatal causes such as a loss of oxygen or low birth weight.

So, is there a link between epilepsy and birth trauma?

As a loss of oxygen flowing to the brain can cause epilepsy, this could be linked to birth injury through birth asphyxia. This is when a baby’s brain, or other organs, do not receive enough oxygen before, during or after birth.

Causes of birth asphyxia include:

• Low oxygen levels in the mother’s bloodstream before or during birth
• Issues with the placenta, such as separating from the womb too early
• Prolonged or difficult delivery
• Issues with the umbilical cord during delivery
• The mother or baby has a serious infection
• The mother has high or low blood pressure
• The baby’s airway is not properly formed
• There is a blockage in the baby’s airway
• The baby has anaemia, meaning its blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen

Can epilepsy be developed after giving birth?

In relation to the baby, infants can suffer neonatal seizures before or after you have given birth. The seizure can be caused by several factors, such as:

• A lack of oxygen
• An acquired infection
• Bleeding in the brain
• An imbalance in their blood sugar levels

It is thought that there is an increased probability that a child who has suffered a neonatal seizure will develop epilepsy, if they are born prematurely, experience tonic neonatal seizures or have an underlying brain abnormity.

It is worth noting that although neonatal seizures are of epileptic origin, the characterisation of the seizures as epileptic or non-epileptic is of continued debate.

In relation to the mother, it is understood that a woman could develop epilepsy after giving birth. However, this is rare, and especially if the mother does not show any obvious abnormalities. There is a condition, where women may have their first seizure during their pregnancy, and these continue after they have given birth. This is known as new onset epilepsy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, research has found that there is an association between birth trauma and the development of epilepsy. It is understood that factors such as injury to the brain before birth, or a lack of oxygen flowing to the baby’s brain, can increase the risk of developing the disorder. From this evidence, it cannot be concluded that birth trauma is the sole cause of epilepsy developing, but it can certainly be claimed as a contributing factor.

Epilepsy compensation claims

If your child has developed epilepsy as a result of birth trauma, a lack of oxygen, or negligent care during labour or delivery, you may be able to pursue an epilepsy compensation claim. Epilepsy compensation can provide the financial support needed to meet your child’s long-term needs and to help families secure stability for the future.

Our specialist birth injury team can guide you through every stage of the claims process. We investigate what happened during pregnancy, labour, or immediately after birth to determine whether failures in medical care contributed to your child’s epilepsy. This may include reviewing medical records, obtaining expert opinions, and identifying whether delays, mistakes, or inadequate monitoring played a role.

Compensation for epilepsy caused by birth trauma can help to:

• Fund essential rehabilitation, therapies, and specialist treatments
• Meet the cost of lifelong care and support needs
• Provide assistive equipment, mobility aids, and home adaptations
• Cover loss of earnings for parents who need to reduce or stop work to provide care
• Secure financial stability for the child’s future
• Acknowledge and address the emotional impact on the family

We understand that epilepsy can have profound and long-lasting consequences, and pursuing a claim can feel overwhelming, especially alongside the pressures of daily care. Our team offers compassionate, expert support throughout, ensuring families feel informed, reassured, and empowered at every step.

If you believe your child’s epilepsy may be linked to an avoidable birth injury, speaking to a specialist solicitor can help you understand your options and begin the process of securing answers and appropriate compensation.