Queens Meconium Aspiration Injury

The birth of a baby is a complicated process. There are a number of complications that could arise leading to a serious, life-altering birth injury such as Erb’s palsy, severe developmental delays, a brain injury, shoulder dystocia, cerebral palsy, or a spinal cord injury. One complication involves the baby inhaling meconium. Meconium is green, thick, sticky fecal material that is produced in a fetus’ intestines before birth. After delivery a baby will pass meconium stools in the first few days of life. However, sometimes before or during birth the baby will pass meconium stool while still in the uterus. This usually happens when the baby is stressed. The meconium then combines with the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus. If the baby inhales meconium he or she may suffer a serious condition called meconium aspiration syndrome. Meconium aspiration syndrome is a potentially serious condition that develops when the baby inhales meconium resulting in the baby’s airways being blocked. When doctors and other members of the medical staff fail to properly diagnose meconium aspiration or fail to properly treat it, meconium aspiration can be dangerous. If you feel that you need to speak to a New York Injury Lawyer because your baby suffered a serious meconium aspiration injury, then it is critical that you contact a Queens meconium aspiration injury lawyer who will explain to you your legal rights to pursue compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

While meconium aspiration could happen in any situation, meconium aspiration is generally associated with fetal stress. Thus, where risk factors for fetal stress are present, meconium aspiration is more likely to occur. These risk factors include:

• Post maturity
• Mother has diabetes
• Mother is a heavy smoker
• Mother has high blood pressure
• Mother has chronic respiratory disease
• Delivery is long or difficult
• Umbilical cord complications
• Poor growth of the baby while in the uterus

There are a number of signs of meconium aspiration that your doctor should notice and respond appropriately. Such signs include:

• Dark green streaks in the amniotic fluid
• Bluish or greenish skin color
• Low heart rate
• Low Apgar score
• Labored breathing
• Limpness

If meconium aspiration is diagnosed quickly and immediately treated, the baby is less likely to suffer long-term health problems. Your doctor and other medical professionals have the responsibility of monitoring the baby and understanding the signs of meconium aspiration and appropriately treating it. Otherwise, the baby’s lungs could be seriously damaged. Treatment for meconium aspiration includes:

• Oxygen therapy
• Steroid therapy
• Surfactant therapy
• Nitric oxide inhalation

Without the proper treatment, the baby could suffer aspiration pneumonia, collapsed lung, brain damage, or persistent pulmonary hypertension. Such conditions could result in permanent physical and mental disabilities and extensive medical bills. If your baby suffers severe meconium aspirations syndrome because the doctors and nurses caring for your baby failed to properly diagnose and treat your baby, New York law allows you to hold that doctor and other medical professionals legally and financially liable.

The negligent party may be required to compensate you for your baby’s medical bills related to the injuries suffered because of the medical mistake. If as a result of your baby’s injury you end up missing a work, your damages could include compensation for the income you lost. The court may also award damages based on the physical and mental anguish your baby suffers because of the injury.

With appropriate attention to risk factors for meconium aspiration and quick response to symptoms of meconium aspiration, long-term injury to the baby can usually be avoid. However, when healthcare professionals are negligent in the way that they respond to meconium aspiration and as a result your baby suffers a serious injury, do not hesitate to immediately contact an experienced birth injury attorney. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in successfully representing clients who have suffered injuries due to mistakes made by medical professionals, as well as those injured in car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents, and other types of accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.