Can Preeclampsia Lead to Cerebral Palsy?

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs, such as the liver and kidneys. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health consequences for both the mother and the fetus. One of those potential consequences is cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects movement, posture, and muscle tone. Preeclampsia can cause reduced blood flow to the placenta, which can lead to fetal brain damage and ultimately result in cerebral palsy.

Additionally, if preeclampsia leads to premature birth, the risk of the child developing cerebral palsy may increase. It is important for healthcare providers to monitor and manage preeclampsia to minimize the risk of cerebral palsy and other complications. If a healthcare provider fails to properly diagnose or manage preeclampsia, and the baby develops cerebral palsy as a result, the family may have legal recourse to seek compensation for medical expenses, long-term care, and other damages.

What is preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that affects about five to eight percent of pregnant women. It is characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs, often the liver and kidneys. If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to life-threatening complications for both the mother and baby, including stroke, seizure, and placental abruption. Preeclampsia typically occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and can also be called toxemia.

The exact cause of preeclampsia is not known, but it is believed to be related to the way the placenta implants in the uterus. Women who have certain risk factors, such as being over 35, having a history of high blood pressure or kidney disease, or carrying multiples, are more likely to develop preeclampsia.

The symptoms of preeclampsia can vary, but some common signs include:

• High blood pressure,
• Protein in the urine,
• Swelling in the face and hands,
• Severe headaches,
• Blurred vision, and
• Abdominal pain.

It is important for pregnant women to make sure to attend all of their check-up visits, and to ask their doctors about their risk for preeclampsia.

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. It can be caused by caused by damage to the brain, typically occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. The symptoms of CP vary from person to person and can include muscle weakness, spasticity, and tremors. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and may affect one or more limbs or the entire body.

Cerebral palsy can have many different causes, including genetic factors, infections during pregnancy, and problems during birth. One of the most common causes of cerebral palsy is a lack of oxygen to the brain during delivery. This can occur due to a number of factors, including a prolapsed umbilical cord, placental abruption, or a delay in performing a cesarean section. In some cases, obstetrical malpractice during delivery may be the cause of the lack of oxygen and subsequent cerebral palsy.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. In addition to movement and balance issues, cerebral palsy can also cause difficulty with speech and swallowing, seizures, and intellectual disability. Treatment for cerebral palsy is focused on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. This may include physical and occupational therapy, medications, and surgery.

Who can be held liable for my baby’s cerebral palsy?

While it is easy to blame the healthcare provider and their staff, it is important to note that responsibility for negligence or error can be due to a lack of good administration and policies from the hospital itself.

Firstly, if hospital policies are not designed with patient safety and well-being in mind, patients may be put at risk of harm. For example, if there are inadequate policies in place for infection control, patients may be at a higher risk of acquiring hospital-acquired infections.

Secondly, poor administrators may not prioritize the allocation of resources to areas where they are needed most, resulting in inadequate staffing levels, lack of equipment or supplies, and subpar facilities. This can lead to patients receiving inadequate care, experiencing delays in receiving care, or not receiving necessary treatments or procedures.

Finally, poor hospital policies and administrators can lead to a culture of non-accountability, where staff members are not held responsible for errors or mistakes. This can lead to a lack of transparency, an inability to learn from mistakes, and ultimately, more harm to patients.

Doctors are not infallible, and very well may be the sole reason for any medical negligence that led to your baby suffering from cerebral palsy, but it is critical to look at the whole picture, and to understand the problem at its source. It is possible for hospital administrators to be held liable for causing a child’s cerebral palsy if their actions or policies contributed to the condition. However, liability would depend on the specific circumstances surrounding the case. If the hospital had policies in place to properly diagnose and treat preeclampsia, but those policies were not followed by the medical staff, then the hospital and its administrators may be held responsible.

On the other hand, if the hospital did not have adequate policies or failed to provide proper training to the staff, the administrators may also be held liable. It is important to speak with a qualified medical malpractice attorney who can evaluate the specific details of the case and determine the best course of action.

The South Carolina birth injury attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC utilize the expertise of economic impact analysts, healthcare planners, and pediatricians to calculate the expenses that you may incur due to physician or hospital malpractice, specifically in cases where preeclampsia caused your child’s cerebral palsy. We provide expert testimony and financial assessments that take into account the need for specialized education, medical equipment, future medical care, nursing assistance, and the potential loss of quality of life. Our attorneys meticulously prepare and present your case to the court to ensure that it is presented in a compelling and comprehensive manner. If you and your child have suffered from medical malpractice, call us at one of our many offices in South Carolina, or use our contact page.