Know the Risks
Babies born prematurely are at a significantly higher risk for a number of health complications than full-term babies. If you or a loved one recently gave birth to a pre-term baby, you may be overwhelmed by existing medical complications, as well as the number of potential medical complications that your child could experience.
One significant risk for pre-term babies is retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)—which can lead to vision impairment and even blindness. All pre-term babies should be proactively screened for ROP.
ROP Risk Factors
While prematurity is not the only risk factor considered by doctors on whether to screen for ROP, it is one of the most prevalent indications that a child will develop ROP—approximately 80 percent of babies born prematurely will develop ROP. Other risk factors that doctors consider include:
- Supplemental oxygen treatments
- Race (Caucasian babies have a higher risk than other races)
- Twins, triplets or multiple births
- Significantly low birth weight (under 1000 grams or 2-3 pounds)
- Anemia
- Respiratory distress
Advocate for Proper Care
Diligent medical professionals will screen babies with known risk factors. However, the timing and frequency of these screenings are critical. If your child has not yet been screened or has not been screened frequently enough—at least two to three times per week—request a screening by a specialized ophthalmologist and be certain to follow up on this care. Learn what else a parent can do.
Negligent Doctors Can Be Held Accountable
Together with co-counsel, the attorneys of Freidin - Dobrinsky; helped recover significant compensation for twin boys who suffered blindness caused by retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Due to the medical professionals' negligence in diagnosis, screening and treatment, the boys will have to endure a lifetime of challenges related to their blindness. Fortunately, in this case, the jury awarded the family $38 million to help them cope with the many financial burdens that await them.
The knowledge, skill and experience of a proven personal injury and medical malpractice lawyer can prove extremely beneficial during these trying times. In fact, it will cost you absolutely nothing to retain our services unless we secure compensation on your child's behalf. Contact us to discuss your situation. Even if we do not believe there is a viable claim against medical professionals, we can offer valuable connections and resources on ROP, infant vision problems and much more.
While our law office is located in South Florida, we are available to assist clients throughout the United States.
