New York Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn

There are many complications that can occur during labor and delivery. The most dangerous complications are those that affect the amount oxygen the baby receives. One serious complication is persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a baby’s blood circulation does not adjust appropriately after birth. As a result blood is forced from the lungs due to high blood pressure in arteries that goes to the lungs. The overall effect is that there is a decreased amount of oxygen circulating in the baby’s body. If persistent pulmonary hypertension goes untreated or is not treated properly, the baby may suffer irreversible brain damage or other birth injuries. While complications that occur during labor and delivery sometimes and unforeseeable and unavoidable, there are many instances in which serious injuries to a baby could have been avoided if the doctor and other members of the medical staff did not make mistakes. If your baby is diagnosed with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and you believe that it was caused by a mistake made by a medical professional, the New York birth injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates are here to help. Our team of experienced attorneys will review your case and take the necessary steps to ensure that your legal rights are protected.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn typically occurs within 72 hours of birth. There are specific risk factors that if present will make it more likely that the baby will suffer persistent pulmonary hypertension. As an experienced injury attorney in New York will explain, it is critical that the doctor understand these risk factors and closely monitor the baby in order to respond quickly to signs of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Failure to do would point to medical negligence. The risk factors include:

• Meconium aspiration
• Birth asphyxia
• Post term
• Infections such as meningitis, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, or gastroenteritis
• Low body temperature
• Underdeveloped lungs
• Congenital heart disease
• Low APGAR scores

If a baby shows any of the following signs, the medical staff should take steps to determine if the baby has persistent pulmonary hypertension, or another serious condition that needs immediate attention. A diagnosis of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn can be confirmed by a cardiac ultrasound.

• Rapid breathing
• Grunting when breathing
• Blue color in the mouth area
• Blue hands and feet
• Cool hands and feet
• Pale or blotchy color
• Low blood oxygen levels
• Low blood pressure
• Swelling

Treating persistent pulmonary hypertension focuses on improving the oxygen levels in the blood and maintaining a normal blood pressure. They can be done by giving the baby oxygen through the nose, by using an oxygen hood, or by a variety of medications.

If your child was diagnosed with persistent pulmonary hypertension, it is understandable for you to want answers as to what happened to cause your child to become so ill. Furthermore, you also deserve answer if your baby was diagnosed, but treatment was mismanaged and as a result your child suffered a serious injury. An experienced attorney serving clients in New York can help you find answers as to what happened and who was at fault. If medical negligence was involved, under New York law you have the right to seek compensation. Through a medical malpractice lawsuit you can demand damages for your child’s medical expenses, as well as other losses such as pain and suffering and lost wages.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have years of experience successfully representing clients who have suffered serious injuries at the hands of negligent doctors and other healthcare professionals. If you believe that your child’s condition was caused because of medical negligence, we are here to help. Contact an attorney at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.