Dangers of Secondhand Smoke during Pregnancy
It is common knowledge smoking while pregnant can cause health problems for the child. But how dangerous is secondhand smoke? According to recent reports, doctors have determined that the inhalation of secondhand smoke can be dangerous to the unborn fetus if it occurs frequently.
Doctors have a responsibility to make sure their patients fully understand the best standards of care. Doctors should make the dangers of secondhand smoke clear to all of the pregnant women they treat and act accordingly should a complication or birth injury occur because of it. If you or someone you love had a child with birth injuries and believe a negligent third party is to blame, contact the Philadelphia birth injury lawyers Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130.
Secondhand Smoke and Birth Complications
Some of the common complications related to secondhand smoke include the following:
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Low birth weight of newborn
- Congenital deformities
- Higher risk of low placental blood flow
- Higher risk of transmission of HIV from mother to child
- Behavioral/intellectual defects
- Lower cognitive function
- Fetal hypoxia
Doctors who do not respond correctly to these complications or give inaccurate advice to patients regarding the risks of secondhand smoke should be held accountable for their actions in a court of law. This kind of medical malpractice should not be tolerated and it is your duty as a patient to speak up.
Contact Us
If you feel that you were treated in a negligent manner by your healthcare professional, it would be beneficial to speak with an experienced lawyer about your individual case. To learn more about birth injuries and medical malpractice, contact the Philadelphia birth injury attorneys Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130.