A recent study has shown that there is a great deal of promise in using prenatal steroids to reduce brain injury in premature babies. While the current statistics show positive potential, our medical malpractice attorneys feel it is responsible to inform you that this is a new technique, and that you should observe all precautions as advised by your physician. Also, it should be noted that this was not a controlled study, so the results are not as definitive as they could be.
Prenatal steroids are typically given to mothers who are at risk of giving premature birth. In particular, when they are at risk of delivering at between 24 and 34 weeks. The decision to do this has varied from doctor to doctor, as there has been scarce information on which to base a prescription for doctors. This study seems to be a step in the right direction.
The effects of brain injury on a premature infant can be devastating. Along with death, neurodevelopmental problems such as cerebral palsy, ADHD, epilepsy and mental development are risks that preemies face in the first few weeks of life. Maintaining an adequate oxygen supply to their brains is essential to prevent these kinds of injuries.
If your doctor prescribes prenatal steroids to prevent brain injury to your unborn child, you should still keep close watch on your child’s development. There are no guarantees in a preemie’s survival, much less that they will survive without injury. However, if you think that your doctor could have done more to prevent harm to your child, call our medical malpractice attorneys in Maryland to learn what your rights are.
For more information about the prenatal steroids, visit https://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/49978/