While most mothers give birth with little or no complications, there are a number of issues that can arise during the delivery process. Each pregnancy and each mother’s medical history and needs are unique. Though healthcare professionals are trained for these variances, they may miss or misdiagnose complications during pregnancy.
If these conditions—such as preeclampsia—are undiagnosed and/or unaddressed, the child may experience developmental delays and other health issues during or after birth.
What is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a condition that develops during pregnancy, usually after the twentieth week. It involves high blood pressure (a common symptom in expectant mothers), and damages the kidneys, liver, or other organs.
Because high blood pressure is common during pregnancy, your care professional may miss its signs, making it an extremely troublesome condition. Even mothers who show normal blood pressure numbers are not immune to preeclampsia; healthy numbers are not a sure sign that the mother or fetus is not being affected by preeclampsia.
Common preeclampsia symptoms are:
- High blood pressure
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea
While these symptoms occur routinely in many pregnant women, this does not excuse your doctor from failing to diagnose preeclampsia, addressing it, and mitigating or preventing any temporary or long-lasting impacts to you or your child.
What Are the Long-Term Preeclampsia Effects in Children?
One of the most dangerous complications of preeclampsia is a lack of oxygen during labor. If the infant’s brain does not get adequate oxygen, serious complications may arise that can lead to near- and long-term health issues.
Although there several issues that may arise from a lack of oxygen, some of the most serious include:
- Learning disabilities
- Epilepsy
- Cerebral palsy
- Hearing and visions problems
- Seizures
- Blindness or impaired sight
A lack of oxygen during birth can also result in Hypoxic Ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). HIE can lead to several long-term issues, including brain damage and death. It is believed that one in five infants born with HIE exhibited signs of learning or behavioral issues around age five, including:
- Autism
- Speech delay
- ADD
- Dyspraxia
- Decreased processing speeds
- Poor memory
What to Do if You Suspect Your Child’s Issues are Linked to Lack of Oxygen
There are established indicators of complications caused by a lack of oxygen during birth.
If you suspect that your child’s health issues are related to a lack of oxygen during birth, you have the right to file a claim against your medical care provider. This can be an emotionally difficult and traumatic avenue to pursue.
But the right legal experts will treat you and your case with compassion, professionalism, and dedication.
Turn to Hurley McKenna & Mertz for Your Medical Malpractice Suit
Whether you were or were not diagnosed with preeclampsia, your condition should never lead to your child’s long-term disabilities or health complications. If you suspect this is the case, and you need an experienced legal team at your side to establish a firm case, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team today for your free consultation.
We’ve helped many families pursue the justice and compensation they deserve. We can help you navigate the legal landscape. Contact us today to learn how our team can help you get the closure and compensation you deserve.
