Caring for a Premature Baby
Premature babies require extensive amounts of care, both inside the hospital and after they arrive at home with their parents. Because they were born before gestation was complete, they face health risks that other babies would not normally be exposed to. This can include breathing problems, feeding problems, temperature regulation issues or jaundice.
If your child’s health problems have not been properly addressed, he or she may be a victim of medical malpractice. To learn more, contact the Philadelphia birth injury attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130.
Premature Infants and Medical Malpractice
Because of these health problems, so-called “preemies” are usually transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in their given hospital shortly after birth. There, they may need to be placed in an incubator or attached to a breathing machine. Pediatricians and NICU nurses have a responsibility to monitor these babies with the utmost care and notify a specialist should a complication occur or the baby’s condition should worsen.
If this is not done, medical malpractice may have occurred. Examples of malpractice that can harm premature infants include:
- Inadequate baby monitoring; neglect in responding to issues
- Faulty diagnosis
- Sending the child home too soon or before it is ready to be released
- Improper use of incubator or breathing equipment
- Unsanitary conditions in the NICU
- Under-staffing of NICU, leading to negligence
- Inaccurate advice given by pediatricians or nurses
Mistreatment of your newborn can be devastating to parents who are already concerned about their child’s health. Doctors and nurses should be held accountable if they behave in a negligent manner in caring for your premature baby.
Contact Us
If you or someone you love has been hurt due to the malpractice of an NICU physician or nurse, contact the Philadelphia birth injury attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 today to find out if you have a case.