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Failure to diagnose preeclampsia can have deadly consequences

On Behalf of | Aug 17, 2020 | Failure To Diagnose |

Pregnancy can be a wonderful and worrying time in a new mother’s life. While many women look forward to the days when they will meet their new children, some struggle with pregnancy-related health complications that make the months before deliver both difficult and dangerous. One such complication is a condition called preeclampsia, and it can affect women throughout Oregon and the rest of the world.

What is preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a condition marked by high blood pressure in expecting mothers. Other symptoms of preeclampsia can include but are not limited to headaches, changes in urine and urination patterns, and organ damage. Doctors should screen for preeclampsia in their pregnant patients as it often begins around the half-way mark of pregnancy.

What problems are associated with preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia can cause serious problems for both mothers and their unborn children. For babies, preeclampsia can result in preterm births, restricted growth and access to blood and oxygen, and problems with the placenta. For mothers, preeclampsia can cause heart disorders, organ damage or failure, and eclampsia. Some of these complications can be fatal.

What can doctors do to help patients with preeclampsia?

While treatment options for preeclampsia are limited, doctors can and should monitor their patients for the condition and provide care and support if they do develop it. The failure of a doctor to diagnose a patient with preeclampsia can have tragic results for both the mother and her unborn child and may amount to medical negligence if harm results. Readers should understand that this post does not provide any legal or medical advice on the topics of preeclampsia and medical malpractice. Individuals who have suffered losses due to missed diagnoses can contact their personal injury attorneys for guidance on their possible legal claims.

 

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