Birth Injuries Caused by Prenatal Negligence
Most parents anticipate childbirth with excitement and joy. Unfortunately, the experience can become stressful and fearful when a birth injury occurs. Some birth injuries are the result of congenital defects and are unavoidable. Others are caused by medical errors or neglect during labor and delivery. However, some birth injuries are a result of prenatal negligence.
The care a mother receives during pregnancy has a direct impact on the health of her baby. Parents who suspect their child has a birth injury caused by prenatal negligence can work with pediatric malpractice attorneys at Zucker & Regev, P.C. in Brooklyn, NY, to hold medical professionals accountable for resulting damages.
What Is Prenatal Care?
Prenatal care is the medical care a mother receives throughout pregnancy. Prenatal exams become more frequent as a mother approaches her due date. Prenatal exams may include several health indicators and diagnostic tests, including:
- Tracking of the mother’s weight
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Sonograms and ultrasounds
- Blood tests
- Urine analysis
- Gestational diabetes screening
This preventive form of healthcare aims to monitor the mother and baby as pregnancy progresses so any issues or complications that could cause harm are diagnosed and addressed before labor and delivery. Early diagnosis is vital because it allows doctors to plan accordingly to avoid birth injury, which sometimes involves scheduling a preemptive C-section.
Prenatal Negligence that Can Lead to Birth Injuries
Since prenatal care is preventive in nature, types of prenatal neglect that lead to birth injury for our Brooklyn clients are nearly always linked to failure to diagnose. Medical errors and neglect during prenatal care that can lead to a birth injury include:
- Failure to order appropriate diagnostic tests
- Failure to recognize signs of prenatal complications
- Dismissal of reported patient symptoms
- Misreading of diagnostic test results
- Failure to report test results (miscommunication between healthcare providers)
- Failure to treat and monitor diagnosed complications or plan a preemptive C-section
- Incorrectly prescribing medication during pregnancy
Types of Birth Injuries Related to Negligent Prenatal Care
Neglect during prenatal care can increase the risk of complications during labor and delivery and cause a wide range of birth injuries that can have long-lasting or lifelong consequences for the baby. Some of the birth injuries most frequently linked to negligent prenatal care include:
- Cerebral palsy - This neurological disorder is caused by oxygen deprivation during birth, which can often be avoided with proper prenatal care. Cerebral palsy impairs motor functions and potentially impairs speech and vision.
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) - HIE is a brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation. Mismanagement of maternal conditions such as preeclampsia increases the risk of HIE.
- Brachial plexus injuries - These injuries affect the nerves that control the arm’s movement and sensation. They are caused by birth trauma and can often be avoided with a preemptive C-section.
- Erb’s palsy - Erb’s palsy affects the nerves of the shoulder and results in weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Erb’s palsy is a result of birth trauma, which can be avoided with a preemptive C-section.
Contact Zucker & Regev, P.C.
If your child suffered a birth injury, pediatric malpractice attorneys at Zucker & Regev, P.C. can investigate to determine if negligent prenatal care is to blame. If so, our legal team works to hold liable parties accountable for all related physical, emotional, and financial damages. To discuss your case, request a consultation at our Brooklyn law firm.
