Baltimore NICU Lawyer
There are a number of reasons a newborn may end up in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Although some babies only require a few days of this specialized care, others remain in the NICU for weeks, or even months. Babies in the NICU are even more fragile than others, and they require precise treatment and careful monitoring. Even the smallest mistake made in the NICU can have catastrophic effects on a child’s health and wellbeing. When a mistake does occur, it is important to speak to a Baltimore NICU lawyer who can help you file a medical malpractice claim against the negligent healthcare professional.
Why are Babies Admitted to the NICU?
When a baby needs to be admitted to the NICU, it usually means they are suffering from a very serious medical condition. Some of the most common of these include:
- Birth asphyxia, or oxygen deprivation
- Premature birth
- Neonatal cardiac issues
- Neonatal encephalopathy
- Genetic disorder
- Infection
Babies suffering from the above conditions, or any other that results in NICU admission, are in a very precarious position. They require the very best of care and when negligent doctors or other healthcare professionals make a mistake, it will have the most serious health consequences.
Medication Errors in the NICU
Many people think medication errors in the NICU are rare, but they are not. In fact, a study has shown that medication errors are eight times more likely to occur in the NICU than they are in adult patients. Just as with adults, overdoses of certain drugs such as morphine and heparin have the potential to have catastrophic effects on newborn babies. When babies are of a particularly low birth weight, known as neonates, they are particularly defenseless against medication mistakes.
Resuscitation Mistakes in the NICU
Newborns commonly have irregular breathing patterns, or they cannot breathe properly on their own. When newborn babies are not resuscitated properly, it could cause a reduced amount of oxygen to the brain, which can lead to brain damage. If a newborn baby needs a breathing tube and one is not inserted quickly enough, it can also lead to oxygen deprivation and in the worst of cases, death.
Jaundice Mistakes in the NICU
When a newborn’s body cannot rid itself of bilirubin, a byproduct of the red blood cells breaking down, jaundice will occur. Bilirubin is yellow in color and when there is a buildup of it in the body, an infant’s skin will turn a yellowish color. Jaundice requires immediate treatment, which usually consists of phototherapy. When treatment is not given right away, the bilirubin will continue to accumulate and it could cause Kernicterus, which is a form of brain damage.
Our NICU Lawyer in Baltimore Can Help Your Family
At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, our Baltimore NICU lawyer has extensive experience representing injured newborns and their families. If your baby has been hurt and you believe it was due to an NICU error, call us today at 410-998-3600 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about the financial compensation you may be entitled to.
