Do Micro-Preemies Have A Higher Risk Of Developmental Delays Or Cerebral Palsy?

Every year in America, almost 1,100 babies are born very prematurely, meaning they’ve spent less than 32 weeks in the womb. The smallest of these babies are often referred to as “micro-preemies.” Premature birth increases the risk for many different complications, including cerebral palsy and developmental delays, and micro-preemies are at the highest risk.

What Is A Micro-Preemie?

The term “micro-preemie” is used to refer to extremely preterm infants, but there’s not a widely accepted definition for which children qualify as being a “micro” preemie. Many define them as babies born before 28 weeks or weighing less than 1,000 grams (2.2 pounds). Others use it to refer to a baby born before 26 weeks or weighing less than 500 grams (1.1 pounds). However you choose to define them, micro-preemies are incredibly small and require serious medical interventions and an extended stay in the neonatal intensive care unit.

What Are the Risks of Being Born Prematurely?

Prematurity is the leading cause of newborn death, and as many as 1 in 10 of all premature babies who survive develop long-term disabilities such as developmental delays, cerebral palsy, chronic breathing problems, and vision and hearing loss. When it comes to micro-preemies, the numbers are even more disturbing. It’s estimated that half of all babies born before 26 weeks of pregnancy will have some degree of long-term complication. One study found that 22 percent of children born before 26 weeks were later diagnosed with a severe disability such as cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and low cognitive scores. Another study found that up to 15 percent of micro-preemies are likely to be diagnosed with cerebral palsy in early childhood.

Can These Risks Be Mitigated, Or Can Premature Births Be Prevented?

Premature births often don’t have an identifiable cause, but sometimes the birth is planned (by induction or c-section) to save the life of the mother or baby from pregnancy complications such as:

• pre-eclampsia – dangerously high blood pressure
• fetal growth restriction – when the fetus slows or stops growing while still in the womb
• waters breaking early
• infection

When these or other similar circumstances occur, doctors will do everything in their power to give the unborn baby a few more days or weeks before delivery, so long as it doesn’t put the baby or mother at additional risk.

When Should A Malpractice Lawsuit Be Considered?

Situations involving an extremely preterm birth can be stressful for everyone involved. Micro-preemies are unbelievably fragile and can suffer catastrophic brain bleeds and life-threatening infections even when doctors do everything right. That said, medical professionals can be held liable for medical malpractice when they do not provide the proper standard of care for a mother and her child before, during, and after birth.

To prove a doctor is guilty of malpractice, you must show that another reasonably competent physician would have provided a different, perhaps more widely accepted, standard of care and gotten a better outcome for the mother and her baby.

Before birth, medical providers have a responsibility to do everything in their power to prevent a preterm birth from happening in the first place. Before a baby has been born, doctors can potentially be held liable for any resulting injuries if they fail to:

• identify obvious high-risk factors for premature labor
• identify the signs of preterm labor
• prescribe medications to slow or stop preterm labor
• place a cervical stitch, or cerclage, when indicated to help keep the cervix closed during the pregnancy
• prescribe steroid injections to help the baby’s brain and lungs develop when a preterm birth seems unavoidable

While most complications and injuries to a preterm infant are a direct and unavoidable result of their premature birth, it’s also possible for a micro-preemie to suffer additional injuries as a direct result of medical treatments that were provided or withheld after birth. Malpractice can cause catastrophic injury if medical providers fail to:

• deliver the baby safely without causing a preventable traumatic birth injury
• properly monitor the micro-preemie’s vital signs
• administer antibiotics as soon as an infection is identified
• provide the correct drug at the correct dosage when medication is indicated

Why Choose Ross Feller Casey?

If you believe that your premature baby’s cerebral palsy or developmental delay could have been prevented, the legal team at Ross Feller Casey is here to help. Our team of Ivy League-trained doctors and expert lawyers has an unmatched history that speaks for itself when it comes to medical malpractice cases, including those involving premature births and micro-preemies. We handle medical malpractice cases like this on a contingency basis, meaning there’s no fee unless you win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.