Premature Birth a Serious Health Concern Worldwide
Preterm birth increases the risk of severe health issues and lifelong disabilities, such as chronic lung disease, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, hearing loss, and blindness, even for babies born just a few weeks early. November is Prematurity Awareness Month and the March of Dimes is focusing on raising the nation’s awareness of the risks of premature birth with its Prematurity Campaign.
Prematurity Statistics
According to MarchofDimes.com, one in eight babies is born too soon in the United States and more than 500,000 babies are born prematurely in the U.S. every year. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death nationwide. Worldwide, 13 million babies are born prematurely each year.
Importance of Pre-natal Care
Receiving the proper health care during pregnancy is critical. With the appropriate pre-natal screenings and tests, conditions that may contribute to premature birth can be managed. If a woman’s physician fails to perform the necessary tests or fails to inform her of a potential premature birth and its risks, he or she may be held liable for any medical condition the baby suffers as a result.
Impact of Early Labor Induction and C-Sections
Late-preterm births, between 34 and 36 weeks, have been on the rise recently. This trend is, in part, attributed to the rising rates of c-sections and early induction of labor. The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign urges healthcare professionals and hospitals to implement quality improvement programs that would ensure consistency regarding inductions and c-sections before 39 weeks. Early induction of labor and c-sections are not always in the best interest for the baby’s health.
When to Contact a Massachusetts Child Injury Attorney
If your baby suffers from a serious health condition as the result of a premature birth that you believe was preventable, you and your child may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact the experienced Boston birth injury lawyers with the Kiley Law Group to learn more about your legal rights and options.
We are dedicated to using our 30 years of knowledge, skills, and resources to help our clients hold medical professionals accountable for their negligence, ignorance, or carelessness. Call us today for your free legal consultation. Though the call is free, the information is priceless.
