Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) Birth Injuries
Experienced Ohio birth injury lawyer explains this serious fetal risk factor
Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) is a medical term used to describe smaller than normal infants who grow at a slower rate before being born. In general, a fetus is considered IUGR if they weigh 90 percent less than most other fetuses at the same point in pregnancy.
Because many health problems and birth injuries are associated with IUGR, this medical condition is considered a serious fetal risk factor. That’s why it’s critical that doctors carefully monitor women during their pregnancy and take immediate action if they notice any medical issues due to IUGR. If not, any injuries or illnesses that occur may be due to medical negligence.
Cleveland birth injury attorney John A. Lancione has years of experience handling such complicated legal cases in Ohio and nationwide. An award-winning lawyer with a national reputation in birth injury law, attorney Lancione can provide your family with exceptional legal representation focused on finding solutions and obtaining the maximum financial compensation.
The Lancione Law Firm consistently obtains sizable settlements and verdicts for injury victims and their families. Since our law firm was founded, we have recovered more than $350 million and counting for our clients, including one of Ohio’s largest malpractice verdicts. Case results truly matter here.
What is an Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)?
There are two common types of intrauterine growth restrictions – asymmetrical IUGR and symmetrical IUGR.
An asymmetrical IUGR means that the fetus’ body is smaller than normal while the head size is normal. More than two-thirds of IUGR cases are asymmetrical and often pose the least amount of health risks to the fetus and the mother. However, asymmetrical IUGR is often associated with preeclampsia, a form of high blood pressure in pregnant women, especially in the third trimester.
A symmetrical IUGR means that the fetus’ head is smaller than normal. While less common, fetuses with symmetrical IUGR often experience serious health problems. This is why it’s critical that obstetricians carefully monitor a baby’s size throughout the pregnancy.
What causes IUGR?
Women with certain pre-existing health conditions are more likely to have children with IUGR. These pre-existing conditions include:
- High blood pressure
- Maternal diabetes
- Blood clotting disorders
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
Another common cause of IUGR in twins is a medical condition known as a twin-twin transfusion. This is when one twin gets more oxygen and nutrients than the other twin in the womb.
Women with pre-existing medical conditions should be made aware by obstetricians and other medical professionals treating them of different health risks to them and their baby, including IUGR. Failure to provide expectant mothers with such health warnings and not testing for IUGR, especially among women with pre-existing medical conditions, is irresponsible and considered medical negligence in many circumstances.
Why is IUGR a fetal risk factor?
IUGR is considered a serious health risk factor to the fetus and the mother due to many health problems often associated with this medical condition. Such health issues may include:
- Birth injuries sustained during delivery.
- Difficulty maintaining a normal body temperature.
- Increased the likelihood of an infant contracting an infection.
- Low Apgar scores in newborn children, an early warning sign of a birth injury.
- Low blood sugar, also known as Hypoglycemia.
These are just some of the medical issues infants often experience due to IUGR. Every child is different. That’s why it’s critical that medical professionals carefully monitor the size of the fetus throughout a woman’s pregnancy and delivery.
Your family has rights. We can stand up for them. Contact our law firm
There are many warning signs of IUGR during a woman’s pregnancy and the baby’s delivery. Unfortunately, some medical professionals ignore these warning signs or fail to handle them appropriately, resulting in a serious injury to the child or the mother.
When this happens, our legal team can help you hold the at-fault healthcare professionals responsible for the actions. We know how complicated and confrontational such legal cases can often be for families. That’s because many doctors and other medical professionals often deny doing anything wrong. It’s our job to find the evidence that proves they made a mistake and put your health and your baby’s health at risk.
Learn more about how we can help you. Contact The Lancione Law Firm and schedule a free consultation with Ohio birth injury lawyer John A. Lancione. He will personally meet with you and handle your case every step of the way. And if you ever have a question at any time, you can call him directly on his personal cellphone. Take the first step. Contact us online or call (440) 331-6100 or (877) 515-4369 to schedule an appointment.