Hypoglycemia

Shortly after a baby is born, doctors typically examine the baby to assess whether he or she has any conditions or symptoms that may indicate a cause for concern. If a doctor does not adequately examine a newborn, however, he or she may miss signs that the infant is suffering from hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia in infants is a dangerous condition that can cause significant and permanent harm. If your child suffered harm due to hypoglycemia at birth, you may have legal options for protecting your rights and the rights of your child. At Arfaa Law Group, our knowledgeable Baltimore birth injury lawyers possess the skills and resources needed to assist you in seeking the maximum amount of damages recoverable under the law.

Hypoglycemia at birth can be caused by an excessive amount of insulin in the baby’s blood, limited storage of glycogen, an increase of the use of glycogen stores, or the inability of the baby’s body to use glucose. Certain factors increase the risk of hypoglycemia in infants. Specifically, babies born to diabetic mothers, premature babies, and babies who are abnormally small or large for their gestational age are more likely to suffer from hypoglycemia. Children who have low thyroid hormone levels or who suffered stress in utero may suffer hypoglycemia as well. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include lethargy, lack of muscle tone, seizures, poor feeding, a blue color, and jitteriness. Doctors who suspect a newborn baby is suffering from hypoglycemia can conduct a simple blood test to determine the baby’s glucose levels. Treatment usually entails administering a fast-acting source of glucose to the baby. If hypoglycemia is not treated promptly, however, it can cause permanent brain damage, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy.

When a child suffers an injury at birth, both the child and his or her parents may be able to recover damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit, and a skilled trial attorney can help. Damages recoverable may include the cost of any medical treatment the child underwent or will need to undergo in the future due to his or her harm. In cases in which the child is permanently disabled and requires daily assistance, damages may also be awarded for the cost of the child’s lifelong care. Similarly, if a child will not be able to earn an income in the future, he or she may be awarded compensation for lost wages. Plaintiffs in birth injury cases are usually also awarded damages for the emotional suffering caused by the harm.

Prior to recovering damages in a birth injury lawsuit, a plaintiff must establish liability. Generally, most Maryland birth injury cases allege that the defendant negligently caused the plaintiff’s harm. Thus, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant was required to abide by the applicable standard of care, but that the defendant breached the standard, and the breach caused the plaintiff’s harm. The standard of care that applies is the level of care that a competent provider in the same practice area and with similar experience and skills would provide when presented with the same circumstances.

Typically, plaintiffs in birth injury cases must retain multiple experts to establish the standard of care and the manner in which the defendant breached the standard, to prove the severity and duration of the child’s harm, and to provide an assessment of the future economic harm caused by the child’s injuries.

If caught early, infant hypoglycemia is often treatable, but when a doctor fails to diagnose or treat hypoglycemia in a newborn, it can cause serious and potentially fatal complications. If a doctor’s negligent treatment of hypoglycemia caused your child to suffer a birth injury, it is wise to speak to an attorney to assess your potential claims. At Arfaa Law Group, we strive to set forth compelling arguments on behalf of our clients, and we will zealously pursue a successful outcome in your case if you engage our services. We regularly represent people in birth injury lawsuits in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can contact us at 410-889-1850 or through our form online to set up a confidential meeting to discuss your case.