Parents in Los Angeles who are preparing for the birth of a baby have it in mind that it will take nine months for the baby to be born. If it is a normal, healthy pregnancy, this is customary. However, there are times when a baby is born prematurely. There could be a number of reasons for this including a negligent doctor. Understanding the potential complications of a premature birth is important when caring for the child and knowing whether or not it could have been prevented.
Simply because a baby was born prematurely doesn’t automatically mean there will be health problems, but it is a risk. In some instances, the issues are immediately recognizable. In others, it takes some time for them to manifest themselves and become evident. In the short-term, the newborn might have problems breathing, heart issues, brain problems, problems maintaining a normal temperature, blood problems, problems with the metabolism, gastrointestinal issues and immune system disorders. Any of these can contribute negatively to the child’s health. If there is a combination, it can be significantly dangerous to the child’s future.
Over the long-term, a baby who was born prematurely might end up with cerebral palsy, problems with cognitive development, vision disorders, hearing disorders, dental problems, behavioral issues, psychological issues and health issues such as asthma. Children who are born prematurely are also at a risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Parents who have a child with any of these issues will face life-changes they weren’t expecting when they found out they were going to have a baby. Long-term care costs can be massive and the child might need to have a series of special accommodations added to the parents’ home for proper care.
If there are issues that the mother was having with the pregnancy and the medical professionals who were entrusted with the mother and baby’s care failed to notice and treat them, it could be found that the premature birth could have been prevented. Parents who have a premature birth need to have a full investigation into the circumstances to determine what happened and why. This can be accomplished with the help of a legal professional experienced in these kinds of cases.
Source: Mayo Clinic, “Premature Birth Complications,” accessed on Mar. 31, 2015
