Substandard Perinatal Care Results in Severe Birth Defects

Case Overview

In this case, an expectant mother came into the hospital complaining of contractions. After a two day hospital stay the mother began to complain of increased contractions, at which point one of the physicians notes “non-reassuring fetal testing” related to a possible infection in the mother. Nevertheless, the child was born via vaginal birth, with notes that the labor was spontaneous and rupture of membranes artificial. The physician’s notes state that complications experienced by the child during birth included fetal tachycardia and infection of the fetal membranes. In the period leading up to the birth, the patient was noted to be in distress and showing signs of illness, but no orders were given and the plaintiff wasn’t seen by the physician. The child now suffers from profound disabilities related to a birth defect, and the evidence suggested that the injury occurred in the days prior to birth.

Questions to the Maternal Fetal Medicine expert and their responses

How often do you come across this clinical picture in your practice?

The clinical scenario of labor with this infection is relatively common, and I have seen that many times. Fortunately, this birth defect is relatively rare, and I have seen labor lead to this complication only a few times.

Does the scenario above reflect a departure from the standard of care?

From the description provided, it seems likely that the standard of care was departed from in the care of this patient, especially when one considers the distressing test results that emerged in the days leading up to birth.

About the expert

This highly qualified and board-certified expert currently serves as an Attending Physician for a group of maternal-fetal medicine care providers and as an Associate Director of Medical Affairs for a molecular diagnostics company, specializing in providing information to improve patient care. He received a B.A. in History and English from Georgetown University, a M.P.H., from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and a M.D. from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He finished a research fellowship in Neurology at Boston Children's Hospital and a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Tufts Medical Center. Elected as a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, he has received grant supports for several projects involving fetus safety and has presented on several topics in the maternal-fetal medicine space.

E-008270

Specialties:

Maternal Fetal Medicine