In the first few months of life, newborn babies grow rapidly and use a lot of iron in the process. However, some babies do not produce enough iron to support their development, resulting in an iron deficiency or anemia. Anemia is a common condition among newborns that is often harmless when met with prompt medical care. If left untreated, however, anemia could permanently affect your baby’s long-term health.
Medical professionals who treat infants must monitor their condition closely and intervene if they suspect anemia. If your doctor misdiagnosed or failed to diagnose this condition in your child, contact a local attorney about bringing a Bridgeport infant anemia misdiagnosis lawsuit. The dedicated birth injury attorneys at Berkowitz Hanna can assess your unique case and advise you of your legal options.
Anemia is defined as a reduced amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is the substance in the blood that brings oxygen to the tissues, supporting repair and growth. Hemoglobin contains iron, and too little iron may indicate that insufficient amounts of hemoglobin are produced, causing anemia.
Many infants develop mild anemia in the first months of life. Iron-enriched infant formula or introducing iron-rich solid food into a baby’s diet could help combat infant anemia. Additionally, a nursing mother should consume plenty of dietary iron and take iron supplements to ensure her baby receives an adequate amount of this mineral.
Babies born prematurely or with low birth weight are especially prone to infant anemia. Medical practitioners must monitor these newborns closely to ensure they absorb nutrients properly and develop on schedule.
Untreated anemia that persists into childhood could significantly impact a child’s growth. Anemia could stunt physical growth and lead to delayed social and intellectual development. These delays could cause problems for the child in school and in social situations.
Many infants with anemia show no symptoms, so medical professionals must complete blood tests periodically to ensure the baby’s red blood cell and hemoglobin counts are normal. Healthcare personnel should be checking for signs of anemia at every wellness visit. Signals of possible anemia that a medical professional should investigate include:
The General Statutes of Connecticut §52-184c requires medical professionals to provide a reasonable standard of care in line with what other similarly trained practitioners would offer in similar circumstances. If a medical professional failed to monitor an infant for potential anemia, they might have breached the appropriate standard of care. If someone believes their care provider failed to diagnose or misdiagnosed anemia in their infant, a Bridgeport attorney can help them bring a medical malpractice lawsuit against those responsible.
If a medical practitioner fails to provide a reasonable standard of care, they may be held legally responsible for any damages caused. A Bridgeport parent could bring a medical malpractice lawsuit if their child suffered consequences due to failure to diagnose infant anemia.
A local injury attorney could review the child’s medical record and speak to the parent about how the undiagnosed anemia has affected the child. From there, a medical expert must scrutinize the child’s medical records and pinpoint the provider’s failure to meet the appropriate standard of care. If the medical expert agrees that the provider’s care did not meet an appropriate standard, a local attorney could help to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Some lawsuits of this nature settle before trial when the medical practitioner’s insurance company offers compensation to resolve the matter. Damages in these cases could cover the child’s medical expenses pertaining to the anemia, a parent’s lost wages due to caring for the child, and other related losses.
When you take your baby to a doctor, you have a reasonable expectation that they will adequately care for your child. If this trust is broken due to a care provider’s misdiagnosis of or failure to diagnose infant anemia, it is important to know that you do have legal options.
A local attorney could help you bring a lawsuit that holds the negligent healthcare provider responsible for your child’s avoidable suffering. Do not wait to get started. Contact Berkowitz Hanna today about Bridgeport infant anemia misdiagnosis lawsuits.
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