An Illinois mother recently filed a lawsuit alleging that her doctor did not exercise due care during the course of the mother’s pregnancy, resulting in permanent brain injury to her child.
The lawsuit alleges that the doctor failed to detect a potentially dangerous kind of streptococcus infection during the course of the pregnancy, which adversely affected the child during pregnancy and birth.
Unfortunately, infections are not uncommon during pregnancy, and are just one of the many seemingly ordinary risks that can turn deadly. If doctors do not remain hyper-vigilant when rendering prenatal care, the chances that they will fail to detect and treat complications before they become threatening rises dramatically.
In fact, the Center for Disease Control recommends that doctors screen all pregnant patients for dangerous strep infections and other exposures to prevent babies from suffering potentially life-long harm at birth.
Here’s a list of just some of the infections that can affect a pregnancy:
- Bacterial vaginosis;
- Chicken pox;
- Chlamydia;
- Cytomegalovirus;
- Fifth disease (parvovirus);
- Flu;
- Gonorrhea;
- Group B strep;
- Hepatitis B;
- Herpes;
- HIV;
- Listeriosis;
- Rubella (German measles);
- Sexually transmitted infections;
- Syphilis;
- Toxoplasmosis;
- Trichomoniasis; and
- Urinary tract infections.
The Illinois mother who filed suit in this case alleged that the medical expenses for treating her child will be in the millions of dollars, adding that her child would never walk, talk or think because of medical malpractice in failing to test adequately for infections.
This case illustrates and emphasizes the importance of getting thorough prenatal checkups that include proper testing and screening for infections and other potential pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, placental issues, umbilical cord issues, uterine problems and other issues.
Failing to perform properly all of the requisite prenatal tests and screenings can put pregnant mothers and their babies in grave danger, exposing them to all kinds of potential injuries related to all of their organ systems.
You can also help to protect yourself by taking some common-sense steps to avoid certain infections. Some of the steps you can take include:
- Avoiding raw or undercooked meat;
- Not sharing food or drinks with other people;
- Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly; and
- Not emptying cat litter, which can transmit toxoplasmosis.
If you or your child has suffered an injury that you think could be related to the care you received during or after pregnancy, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (312) 477-2500 to speak with a qualified personal injury attorney who can help you determine if and how you might have been harmed, and what you can do about it. You can also check out our Website for more information about our law firm, Cogan & Power, P.C.