Birth Injury

Group B Strep (GBS) is a type of infectious bacteria carried by up to 25 percent of American women of childbearing age. For most of these women, GBS causes no symptoms – it simply rides along in the body. Many other women experience recurring vaginal yeast infections or urinary tract infections without realizing these are caused by GBS. However, GBS can cause serious and life-threatening harm to a developing baby or newly-born infant if it is not treated.

Mothers who have high fevers or recurring vaginal or urinary tract infections should have a urine test performed for GBS. Even if the test comes back negative or the mother is not tested, she should alert her doctor immediately if she goes into labor before 37 weeks, goes more than 12 hours between her water breaking and delivering the child, or experiences a fever over 100 degrees at any point during her pregnancy.

GBS can be treated at any time during the pregnancy, birth, or after birth by administering antibiotics to the mother, infant, or both. Infants born to GBS-positive mothers should also be treated with penicillin or another antibiotic as soon as possible after birth – preferably, within an hour.

Injuries caused by prenatal infections can permanently change the course of a child’s life. If your child has been injured by a prenatal infection or other birth event, the dedicated Georgia birth injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. can help. For a free and confidential consultation, call our Atlanta office at (404) 995-3955 today.

Very Low Birth Weight, or VLBW, is dangerous for the health of a newborn, and, according to a recent study published in Neurology, its effects may continue through young adulthood. According to Medscape.com, the study concludes that newborns with VLBW tend to have deficiencies in neurocognitive abilities once they become young adults. It is no surprise that severely preterm births are already associated with impaired mental faculties in children, but there are not many studies that follow-up on these results as the children grow older. “Neurocognitive Abilities in Young Adults with Very Low Birth Weight” is that follow-up study.

Within this study, as part of the Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults, two groups of more than 100 adults each were subjected to a battery of tests. One group included young adults who had been born with VLBW and the other included young adults who had normal birth weight. The tests evaluated general cognitive ability in addition to executive functioning and related abilities. Academic performance was also considered. The study concluded that:

1. The VLBW group performed slower or scored lower than the non-VLBW control group in expressive language abilities, general intelligence tests, verbal fluency, visual scanning, copy and immediate recall, and psychomotor speed.
2. The VLBW group more frequently participated in remedial education in school than the control group, although it found no significant differences in self-reported academic performance (probably due to their participation in remedial education).

It was also concluded that VLBW may impair the brain’s ability to resist or repair issues related to brain injury. Additionally, the study found that VLBW adults are more likely to suffer from chronic disease, participate in less healthy living, and even have higher mortality rates.

VLBW in a newborn can lead to serious medical conditions and lower quality of life, even into adulthood. It is only with proper prenatal screening and care that a doctor can prevent circumstances which would cause a VLBW birth. If your child has suffered injury and/or illness as the result of negligence on the part of a physician, the dedicated Atlanta birth injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., can help you and your child obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact our offices today to learn more about your legal rights and options at (404) 995-3955 or toll-free at (866) 249-5513.

Generally defined, birth injury refers to trauma suffered by a baby during the birthing process. These injuries can be physical or mental and can create undue financial and emotional hardships for the child and his or her family. The injury may be caused by negligent pre-natal care, medical malpractice due to an untimely delivery, or medical negligence from inappropriate use of equipment during delivery.

Medical negligence, malpractice and doctor oversight are common causes of birth injuries in Georgia. It is the duty of the healthcare professionals who provide prenatal care to properly screen and diagnose any medical condition so that injury can be prevented, if possible. Failure to diagnose a debilitating medical condition during pregnancy constitutes malpractice and the attending doctor, and/or the hospital he or she works for, could be held liable. A doctor who is too forceful with equipment during delivery or fails to perform an emergency procedure on time during the delivery may also be held liable.

The effects of a birth injury may follow a child throughout his or her adulthood. Birth injuries are life-altering injuries that may require years of medical treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, prescription medications, home care and emotional support, of which health insurance may only cover a small percentage. Living with a birth injury is difficult for the entire family.

According to law, healthcare professionals are expected to perform their duties skillfully, attentively and according to the appropriate standard of care. This duty is especially important for physicians entrusted with the care of an expecting mother. If your child has suffered a Georgia birth injury that you believe could have been prevented, the dedicated Atlanta birth injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. can provide you the legal guidance you need during such a difficult time. Contact us for a consultation today at 404-995-3955 or toll-free at 866-249-5513.