Child Sustains Cognitive Damage During Urgent Delivery

Case Overview

This case involves a young mother who went into induced labor after experiencing a number of complications with her pregnancy. During labor, the patient began to appear discolored, and testing revealed progressive signs of fetal distress. The decision was made to proceed to urgent delivery via vacuum extraction. During the extraction additional complications, including shoulder dystocia, were encountered, and the mother suffered a uterine rupture. The infant suffered a number of injuries during her delivery, and was eventually diagnosed with cerebral palsy. It was alleged that doctors should have opted for a cesarean section instead of a vacuum extraction, which would have avoided injuries to both mother and her daughter.

Questions to the Maternal Fetal Medicine expert and their responses

What is the proper protocol when observing progressing signs of fetal distress while inducing labor?

My concern is that there could have been greater continual monitoring which is the proper protocol when observing progressing signs of fetal distress. In a case like this, one wants to continually monitor so as to not miss any fetal patterns, check in that the fetal heart rate is reassuring, mitigate all risks, and properly time a c-section.

Do you frequently treat patients similar to the patient describe in this case?

As the professor of obstetrics and gynecology and as the residency director at a university affiliated medical center, I frequently treat patients similar to the patient described in this case. This case is right in my area of expertise.

About the expert

This double-board certified expert specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, with a focus on maternal-fetal medicine. He earned his B.S. in biology from Purdue University, his M.S. in Physiology Biophysics from Indiana University, and his M.D. from Indiana University. He completed his residency in obstetrics & gynecology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and his fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine from Washington University in St. Louis. He is a member of numerous maternal-fetal medical associations, has published more than 40 articles in the field, and has received various awards and lecture invitations on maternal-fetal medicine. This expert is currently an attending physician in obstetrics and gynecology at a top hospital, the residency program director at a prestigious university medical center, and an assistant professor of obstetrics & gynecology in the division of maternal-fetal medicine at a prestigious university medical center.

E-009197

Specialties:

Maternal Fetal Medicine