For parents in San Antonio, the words "hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy" (HIE) often arrive with shock, anxiety, and a flood of uncertainty. When your child’s well-being is at stake, sifting through advice from relatives, internet sources, and even social networks quickly becomes overwhelming. In our city—where families come from many different backgrounds—misconceptions about HIE can further cloud already difficult decisions. Our team at Maloney Law Group, P.L.L.C. understands the importance of accurate, compassionate information. That’s why we’re committed to confronting HIE misconceptions in San Antonio directly, giving families clear answers to real-world questions and guiding them step by step through every aspect of this journey.
What Is HIE & Why Do Misconceptions Persist Among Parents?
HIE, or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, is a type of brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen and blood flow to a baby’s brain, most often occurring during birth or right after. This medical condition can impact a child’s physical and cognitive development for life. In San Antonio, many parents hear the term HIE for the first time from a doctor in the midst of a medical emergency—a vulnerable moment when confusion and emotion run high. The medical terminology itself is intimidating, leaving room for misunderstanding and fear.
Several factors contribute to the spread of HIE misconceptions in San Antonio. The wide range of possible causes, symptoms, and outcomes means that each family’s experience looks different. With neighbors, family members, and online communities offering their own opinions—sometimes based on incomplete or outdated information—it’s easy for misconceptions to catch on. In culturally rich and diverse communities throughout San Antonio, family beliefs and traditions may also shape perceptions about what led to HIE or how it should be treated.
These misunderstandings don’t just impact conversations—they affect decisions about treatments, support services, and whether to pursue a birth injury claim. Armed with the right facts, San Antonio parents can confidently advocate for their child, access the full range of available resources, and recognize when further investigation is truly warranted.
Are Doctor Mistakes Always To Blame?
A common misconception is that HIE is always the result of a healthcare provider’s mistake during delivery. While preventable errors may sometimes contribute to an HIE event, many cases develop quickly from causes no one can predict. For example, unexpected emergencies like placental abruption, umbilical cord accidents, or sudden maternal medical problems can cause oxygen deprivation in even the most closely monitored births.
In our San Antonio community, we often see parents wonder if they or the medical staff did something wrong, leading to feelings of guilt and confusion. It’s important to know that HIE can result from factors entirely outside of anyone’s control, such as maternal infections, uterine rupture, or severe preeclampsia. Medical teams regularly face rapidly evolving situations where immediate interventions are necessary, but not every event can be prevented—and not every instance of HIE is linked to actionable negligence.
When families come to us with questions about the cause of their child’s HIE, we review detailed medical records and consult with relevant professionals to assess what truly happened. Our commitment is to ensure that families understand the difference between an unpreventable tragedy and situations where a timely intervention might have made a difference. By addressing this misconception head-on, we help San Antonio parents make informed decisions about pursuing legal accountability.
Can HIE Be Diagnosed Right Away?
Another misconception we frequently hear is that HIE is always diagnosed immediately at birth. While some newborns show immediate, pronounced symptoms—like difficulty breathing, poor muscle tone, or seizures—others may have less obvious signs that don’t become apparent until later. In San Antonio’s hospitals and birthing centers, initial newborn exams may not pick up on mild or moderate cases right away, especially if symptoms are subtle or develop over several hours.
Diagnosis usually involves a combination of Apgar scoring, blood gas analysis, and brain imaging (like MRI or CT scans). The process may take hours or days, depending on symptom progression and available resources. While major hospitals in San Antonio generally have protocols for early HIE detection and transfer to NICUs, smaller facilities may have varying capabilities.
Parents who suspect their child’s diagnosis was delayed or missed altogether should request referrals for specialist evaluation, such as by a pediatric neurologist. If a child later develops speech or movement delays, it’s still possible for doctors to investigate whether these issues began with HIE. Knowing when and how HIE can be diagnosed empowers families to seek the right care—no matter where or when the first signs arise.
Does HIE Always Cause Severe Disabilities?
Perhaps the most distressing myth is that all children with HIE will face profound lifelong disabilities. In fact, HIE exists on a spectrum, with outcomes ranging from mild delays to significant challenges in mobility or cognition. The severity depends on several factors: how long the baby’s brain was deprived of oxygen, the timeliness of intervention, and individual health circumstances.
Medical care in San Antonio often includes access to neonatal therapeutic hypothermia (commonly called “cooling”), which has been shown to reduce brain injury in eligible infants. Many children with mild HIE grow up with minimal or manageable differences in development, especially when therapy and support start early. Others may require ongoing therapies or educational accommodations, but even so, early intervention has a sizable positive impact on many families.
By providing families with personalized information and referrals to San Antonio-based therapy and intervention programs, we help parents avoid focusing on worst-case scenarios. Instead, we encourage a realistic, hopeful approach, tailored to the specific needs and abilities of each child. Every outcome is unique—and every child deserves a support plan that grows and adapts along with them.
What Are The Most Common Myths About HIE Treatment & Prognosis?
Parents facing an HIE diagnosis often encounter well-meaning but misleading myths, particularly about available treatments and the potential for improvement. Here in San Antonio, and nationwide, families sometimes hear that once HIE occurs, there’s “nothing you can do.” In real life, early treatments such as therapeutic cooling, medications, and supportive NICU care can limit damage when provided promptly. Ongoing intervention—including physical, occupational, and speech therapy—can support significant improvements, even for children with moderate or severe effects.
Another persistent myth is that all treatment options are alike or that after leaving the hospital, further therapy won’t help. This is simply not true. San Antonio offers a variety of ongoing services for children affected by HIE, including citywide Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) programs, specialized private therapists, and educational supports for school-age children with developmental challenges. Success depends on tailoring care to a child’s unique needs—not on adopting a “one size fits all” approach.
Some parents also hear that once the newborn period passes, nothing more can be done. In reality, the brain continues to develop throughout childhood and beyond, especially when children receive consistent, targeted therapies. Families who stay engaged with a coordinated team—medical providers, therapists, and support staff—maximize their children’s progress and overall quality of life. The bottom line? Encouragement, persistence, and access to evolving resources work together to create new possibilities at every stage.
Contact Us Today
Knowledge is power, especially when a child’s future feels uncertain. Clear, truthful information helps parents understand the complex realities of HIE, equipping them to make critical decisions about healthcare, education, and—when necessary—legal action. Comprehensive knowledge gives you the courage to ask the right questions, challenge misconceptions, and ensure your family receives every available opportunity.
At Maloney Law Group, P.L.L.C., we focus on providing the answers and advocacy that San Antonio families deserve. By breaking down jargon, demystifying the legal process, and addressing real-world scenarios, we support parents and caregivers as they move through each stage of the HIE journey. Every child’s path will look different—but every family deserves support every step of the way.
If you still have questions, want to better understand your child’s diagnosis, or are considering your legal options, we encourage you to reach out. The team at Maloney Law Group, P.L.L.C. is always available to assist San Antonio families in need of clear guidance and genuine support. Call us at (210) 361-2997 to speak with someone who understands both the challenges and the solutions related to HIE.
Contact us today to get started with our team.