Rh incompatibility is a condition that might be dangerous for a developing fetus, and doctors should address the condition appropriately to account for any risk. If a prenatal care doctor does not diagnose and treat Rh incompatibility, then the consequences for the baby can be devastating.
Work with Rh incompatibility birth injury lawyers in New York at Gacovino, Lake & Associates if your baby was harmed by negligent prenatal care. Call us at 800-550-0000.
Understanding Rh Incompatibility
Rh Incompatibility occurs when a mother’s Rh proteins (found on the surface of red blood cells) is incompatible with her fetus’s Rh proteins. More specifically, the condition occurs when the mother has Rh-negative blood, and the fetus has Rh-positive blood. In such cases, the mother’s immune system may treat the fetal cells from the baby (which are Rh-positive) as foreign and develop antibodies against them. The antibodies may then cross the placenta and harm the fetus’s red blood cells.
For the mother, there are usually no consequences or symptoms of Rh incompatibility. For a developing fetus, though, Rh incompatibility can be extremely dangerous.
The Effects of Rh Incompatibility on a Fetus
For a fetus, Rh incompatibility can lead to a number of tragic outcomes. According to MedlinePlus, the consequences of Rh incompatibility can range from mild to severe. When Rh incompatibility occurs, destruction of the red blood cells in the fetus may result in complications like jaundice (the yellowing of the skin), hypotonia, (low muscle tone) and lethargy.
More severe effects might include brain damage due to the high bilirubin levels (which result from destruction of red blood cells and cause jaundice), as well as swelling and cognitive problems or problems with movement, hearing, speech and seizures, according to MedlinePlus.
Prevention of Rh Incompatibility Complications May Be Possible
Preventing Rh incompatibility complications may be possible. If there is a chance you may develop Rh incompatibility during your pregnancy, it can be prevented with treatment of immune globulins. However, if a healthcare provider failed to identify your risk for Rh incompatibility and fails to take preventive measures, it may increase risk of complications. If it does occur and treatment is not provided, then the baby may be at risk of the dangers mentioned above.
A prenatal care provider has the duty to provide care to a pregnant woman that is thorough and meets an acceptable standard. Failing to provide necessary care for Rh incompatibility is often a violation of that standard and warrants a medical malpractice suit. Review your case details with Rh incompatibility birth injury attorneys in New York to determine which legal options may be available to you.
Consult with Rh Incompatibility Birth Injury Lawyers in New York
If your baby suffered harm because of a healthcare provider’s failure to diagnose or treat Rh incompatibility, you may recover damages related to that negligence. You must prove that the doctor failed to provide an acceptable standard of care – which generally required medical expert testimony and other medical evidence – and that your child suffered injuries and damages. The presence of complications from Rh incompatibility does not automatically warrant damages – your attorney can help review your eligibility to file a claim and can help you collect proper evidence.
If successful, you may recover compensation for medical treatment and other damages required to address the infant’s injuries. At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. our attorneys make sure you have a legal advocate on your side throughout the process of filing a medical malpractice suit. To speak with one of our attorneys, call us at 800-550-0000 or use our contact form to set up a consultation.
