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Neonatal Resuscitation Mistakes Cause Thousands of Injuries and Deaths Every Year

Birth injury attorneys aggressively pursue claims against negligent medical professionals

When babies come into the world, they must quickly adjust to life outside of the womb. They have lived in their mother’s womb for months in a fluid filled environment and have had all of their nutrition delivered via the umbilical cord. At birth, however, babies must learn to breathe on their own and get their nutrients from milk or formula. Although most babies adjust without issues, some babies have trouble. Complications during labor and delivery can cause problems at birth that may result in a baby who cannot make the transition without medical assistance. When a baby struggles to breathe at birth, it must be resuscitated quickly. If medical professionals wait too long to perform resuscitation, perform the wrong resuscitation maneuvers, or give the wrong medications, babies can be seriously injured or even die. At The Eisen Law Firm, our Ohio birth injury attorneys hold medical professionals accountable when they fail to perform timely and appropriate neonatal resuscitation.

Why do some babies need to be resuscitated?

Some babies –especially those born following a high-risk pregnancy--are at an increased risk of suffering complications that may require resuscitation at birth. Others do not show any signs of health complications that may require resuscitation until the moment they are born. However, medical professionals should be aware of the risk factors that may lead to a need for resuscitation, including:

Every medical facility that delivers babies should have the proper equipment and personnel needed to resuscitate a baby, even if the labor and delivery presents no major risk factors. Every second counts when a baby needs to be resuscitated, and the more time that passes without resuscitation, the more likely it is that the baby will suffer permanent damage.

Warning signs that a baby may need resuscitation

If a baby is being born prematurely, medical professionals should have an incubator nearby, as well as wraps and bags that are used to keep the baby warm. A doctor who knows how to intubate a baby should be present, and tools that are used to deliver surfactant to the baby should also be present. Surfactant is a fluid in the lungs that helps them expand and contract, and sometimes babies need additional surfactant to assist them in breathing on their own.

For babies who are born full-term, immediate action should be taken if a baby does not have good tone, does not cry, or does not breathe. If the baby’s heart rate is below 100 beats per minute, or if the baby appears to be gasping, emergency care should be administered. The baby’s heart rate and respiration rate should be evaluated at least every 30 seconds.

If resuscitation maneuvers are needed, they should be implemented quickly and should conform closely to published neonatal resuscitation guidelines.

If your child was injured at birth, you should have an experienced birth negligence attorney review your child’s medical records to determine if an error was the cause of injury.

If your baby suffered a birth injury, contact The Eisen Law Firm for a free consultation

At The Eisen Law Firm, we understand the confusion and heartbreak parents feel after their children are injured. Our Ohio birth injury attorneys work relentlessly to ensure your child’s best interests and future are protected. To schedule a free consultation with our firm, call 216-687-0900 or visit us online.