Neonatal Hypoglycemia

The birth of a child is a moment filled with hope and excitement, but when medical complications like neonatal hypoglycemia arise, that joy can quickly turn into worry and heartbreak. Neonatal hypoglycemia is a relatively common condition that doctors are trained to identify and treat. Sadly, however, it can go undiagnosed until it causes critical health issues and ultimately leads to serious and irreversible harm. If your child sustained injuries due to a healthcare provider’s negligent failure to diagnose or treat neonatal hypoglycemia, you may be able to recover damages in a birth injury lawsuit, and it is smart to talk to an attorney. The experienced Baltimore birth injury lawyers at Arfaa Law Group in Baltimore are committed to holding reckless medical professionals accountable for the harm they cause, and if you engage our services we will help you fight for the compensation needed to aid in your child’s care and your family’s recovery.

Neonatal hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when a newborn’s blood glucose levels fall below the threshold necessary to support normal brain and bodily functions. Glucose serves as a critical energy source, particularly for the brain, which is highly sensitive to fluctuations in blood sugar. Without enough glucose, a baby’s brain can suffer severe damage, potentially leading to developmental delays, seizures, or long-term disabilities such as cerebral palsy.

Certain newborns are more at risk for neonatal hypoglycemia, including those born prematurely, those with low birth weight, and those born to mothers with diabetes or gestational diabetes. Other factors, such as delays in feeding or complications during delivery, can also increase the likelihood of hypoglycemia.

Healthcare providers are trained to identify these risk factors and monitor at-risk infants closely. Diagnosis is typically made through blood tests measuring glucose levels, and treatment may include early feeding, intravenous glucose, or other interventions to stabilize the baby’s condition.

When doctors fail to act fail to diagnose or mismanage neonatal hypoglycemia, the consequences can be devastating. As such, many families left to cope with the profound emotional and financial challenges caused by such recklessness will choose to pursue claims against the responsible parties in a birth injury lawsuit.

Generally, families affected by medical malpractice must demonstrate that the defendant’s healthcare provider’s negligence caused their child harm.

Under Maryland law, negligence is made up of four components, and the plaintiff must establish each component to recover damages. First, the plaintiff must show the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty. The duty a doctor owes a patient is to follow the standard of care expected of a reasonably competent professional in their field. The plaintiff then has to prove the defendant breached the duty owed by failing to meet these standards.

Next, the plaintiff must demonstrate causation, which means they must establish that the defendant’s breach of duty caused their child’s injuries. For example, if a doctor failed to recognize the signs of neonatal hypoglycemia, and this oversight led to seizures or brain damage, causation could be established. Expert testimony often plays a key role in demonstrating how the provider’s actions deviated from the standard of care and how proper care could have prevented the harm. Finally, the plaintiff has to show that they suffered damages as a result of the defendant’s breach.

Parties that demonstrate fault in birth injury cases can often recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses caused by medical malpractice. Economic damages can include hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and any assistive devices or therapies the child may require in the future. Non-economic damages address the emotional impact of the injury, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Neonatal hypoglycemia is a condition that demands immediate and competent medical attention. When healthcare providers fail to meet their obligations, the results can be life-changing for infants and their families. If your child suffered harm due to negligent care before or after birth, it is critical to talk to an attorney about your options. The knowledgeable Baltimore birth injury lawyers of Arfaa Law Group have the experience and resources needed to hold healthcare providers accountable, and if we represent you, we will fight to help you seek the compensation your family deserves. Our office is located in Baltimore, and we proudly serve clients throughout the area. Contact us today at (410) 889-1850 or through our online form to schedule a consultation.