Every month is the right time to discuss risks to a mother’s and child’s health during pregnancy. In February, the focus is on preventing prenatal infections. Many families do not know of the risks associated with infections during pregnancy and what that can mean for long-term health and well-being.
At the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates, you will find the Washington, D.C. birth injury lawyer you need if you believe your family is at risk. Our birth injury lawyers have extensive experience handling these complex cases. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation.
What Are Prenatal Infections?
Prenatal infections, sometimes referred to as maternal infections, happen during pregnancy, prior to birth. When not properly cared for, they can cross the placenta or affect the baby later, during the labor and delivery process, creating risks of serious health ailments.
Some examples of prenatal infections include:
- Group B Strep (GBS): This occurs when bacteria cause pneumonia or meningitis in newborns.
- Chorioamnionitis: An intra-amniotic infection that can occur in the amniotic fluid, placenta, or membranes, caused by bacteria ascending from the vagina.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): These infections can be painful and can also cause preterm labor if treatment is delayed.
- TORCH Infections: This group of infections can cause congenital conditions. They include toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection from undercooked meat or cat feces; syphilis; varicella or mumps; rubella; cytomegalovirus (CMV); and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).
- Listeria: Listeriosis and other types of foodborne illness can cause complications to an unborn child’s health.
Suffering a birth injury from infection may be a preventable outcome if caught early through quality medical care.
How Prenatal Infections Can Harm a Baby
Neonatal infections can cause numerous complications to a child’s health and the development process. Some examples of these outcomes include:
- Premature birth
- Oxygen deprivation
- Neonatal sepsis
- Brain injuries
- Lifelong neurological and developmental disabilities
These complications are life-changing, and for most parents, the question becomes simple. Could this be avoided? A birth injury from infection is possible if early warning signs are missed, test results are ignored, or treatment is delayed for any reason.
Warning Signs Documents Should Never Ignore
Not every case of prenatal infection will cause a birth injury. And, not every time it happens are there warning signs. However, a Group B strep medical malpractice or chorioamnionitis birth injury that occurs with any of the following warning signs could be an indication of a failure to receive expected care.
- Maternal fevers
- Elevated heart rate in the mother or baby
- Abnormal lab results
- Foul-smelling amniotic fluid
- Prolonged rupture of membranes
When doctors see these warning signs and fail to order additional testing and treatment, or otherwise fall below the accepted standard of care, they could be liable for the complications that result.
Prevention Starts with Proper Prenatal Care
Prenatal infection prevention is not an accident. It happens when doctors and patients follow best practices, including:
- Routine prenatal screenings
- Clear communication of symptoms and response to them
- Timely antibiotic use when indicated
- Close monitoring during labor and delivery
- Prenatal infection prevention is never optional. It is a medical obligation for all providers.
When Infection Prevention Fails: Your Legal Options
Something happened, and now your child has birth injuries. You may not understand what went wrong or who was responsible for these oversights. With the help of a Washington, D.C. birth injury lawyer, you’ll have a better idea of what it will take to hold those who hurt you accountable. Here is what you need to know.
Some birth injuries are unavoidable. Not every birth injury is something doctors could have predicted with better care.
Others occur because preventable medical errors happened. That means a licensed provider stepped outside the normal and expected type of care for you, and their actions resulted in the concerns.
If you believe that something happened to your child, that a doctor, nurse, hospital, or other provider did not take steps, it is certainly worth setting up a free consultation with a medical malpractice attorney for answers. Families deserve answers, not silence.
You can set up a review of your pregnancy, birth, and child’s medical records with an attorney to determine if something went wrong. It is your right to take this action, and it could mean the difference in receiving the financial support your child needs.
Discuss Prenatal Infection Prevention with a Washington, D.C. Birth Injury Lawyer at the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates
Prenatal infection prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Seek out a Washington, D.C. birth injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates for those answers. We offer reliable legal guidance and compassion, even when you are facing challenges in seeking justice for your child. Call 202-223-4488 or contact us online for a free consultation. We are located in Washington, D.C. and serve clients in the surrounding areas, including Northern Virginia and Maryland.
FAQs About Preventing Prenatal Infections
How do you prove neonatal infection medical negligence?
To prove a medical provider caused injuries resulting in injury to a child, you must demonstrate that the provider failed to act as other providers in the same situation with the same experience would have reacted. This can be challenging to prove, but your attorney will understand the specific factors that contribute to these claims. Because your lawyer understands the duty of care in birth injuries, you can expect clarity on whether medical malpractice took place.
What type of birth injuries can happen related to an infection?
Numerous potential risks exist for children exposed to infections prior to or during birth. That includes severe birth injuries such as cerebral palsy, developmental delays, hearing and vision loss, and inflammation of the brain. It is important to know that having an infection does not mean these types of outcomes will occur. It simply increases the risk.
How common are complications from prenatal infections in the child?
Up to one-third of births involving infection during pregnancy can result in some complications to the child at birth. When an infection is present, whether known or unknown before birth, it can increase the risk of complications. It can also contribute to fatal outcomes for mothers in some situations.
