Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), also known as fetal growth restriction or “small for gestational age” (GSA), is a condition characterized by slow growth in the womb. IUGR is associated with various types of birth injuries and complications. In many cases, it will be necessary to induce premature labor in order to avoid the risks of vaginal delivery for fetuses with IUGR.
There are a number of risk factors that can increase the likelihood of a fetus developing slower than normal, and there are a number of steps that doctors can take to diagnose IUGR and prevent unnecessary complications. Unfortunately, doctors do not always take these steps; and, as a result, the risks of IUGR are not always avoided. If your child has been diagnosed with IUGR, you should consult with a skilled Connecticut intrauterine growth restriction lawyer who represents birth injury cases to find out if you are entitled to financial compensation for malpractice. We encourage you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Whether you are an expectant parent and you are concerned that your child may be at risk for Intrauterine Growth Restriction or your child has been born and is suffering due to complications from IUGR, there is a lot you need to know. Here are five important facts about IUGR from our Connecticut IUGR attorneys:
Various factors can increase the risk of IUGR during pregnancy. In order to mitigate against the risk of IUGR and its complications, doctors should consult with expectant mothers who present maternal risk factors, and they should monitor for additional risk factors throughout the mother’s pregnancy. Some of the primary risk factors linked to IUGR include:
Regardless of whether any of the above-listed risk factors are present, doctors should monitor for signs of IUGR. This includes measuring the fetus’s fundal height, carefully examining ultrasounds, and performing other diagnostic tests, as necessary, to determine whether intervention is required. If IUGR is not diagnosed until the 34th week of pregnancy, inducing premature labor may be the most viable option for avoiding complications (although induced premature labor carries its own risks as well). If fetal growth restriction is diagnosed prior to 34 weeks, then treatment and monitoring may be recommended, although the fetus’s health condition will determine what course of action is necessary.
In addition to the risks associated with induced preterm labor, IUGR can present a number of other risks for newborns as well. This makes it imperative for doctors to provide adequate counseling, diagnostic, and treatment services during pregnancy, and it makes it essential for doctors to promptly perform an appropriate examination of the newborn after childbirth. For children born with IUGR, adequate monitoring is critical as well. Complications associated with IUGR include:
As indicated above, complications from IUGR can be prevented in many cases with quality medical care. Doctors in Connecticut have all of the tools they need to diagnose and treat IUGR both during and after pregnancy, and there is no excuse for a child being put at risk unnecessarily.
If your child has been diagnosed with IUGR, your family may be entitled to financial compensation. Families of children who suffer birth injuries due to doctors’ mistakes can file claims for malpractice, and Connecticut law allows families to recover full compensation for the financial and non-financial consequences of preventable birth injuries. Our firm represents families in birth injury malpractice claims statewide, and we have a long track record of securing favorable results for our clients.
If your family is entitled to financial compensation for a medical mistake, your choice of law firms matters. Here are just some of the reasons why families trust the Connecticut intrauterine growth restriction attorneys at Berkowitz Hanna:
Our Detail-Oriented and Personalized Legal Representation – We are passionate about what we do, and we believe that getting to know our clients personally is one of the best ways to understand the immediate and long-term costs of their doctors’ negligence. As our client, you can expect to hear from us regularly, and you can expect to remain informed and involved at every stage of your case.
For more information about filing a malpractice claim for IUGR, please contact us to arrange a free consultation. To schedule an appointment at your convenience, reach out today. A Connecticut intrauterine growth restriction lawyer could evaluate your case and advise you on your legal options for compensation.
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