Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy & Medical Negligence

HIE ie Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy can be at the severe level type of brain injury. More detail can be found about it here with an overview at Nationwide Childrens.

It occurs when blood flow or oxygen to the brain ceases or is insufficient.

Whether it is at the severe level can depend on the timing ie how long has the brain not had the sufficient oxygen.

Delay in deliveries can lead to complications and a poor condition at birth.

A failure to monitor a foetal heartrate in labour can lead to problems.

A CTG ie cardiotocography can indicate the need for an expedited delivery.

Maternal and foetal heart rate can evidently be monitored.

A foetal CTG assessment ie trace can show if something is problematic.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy can lead to disability and carry serious consequences for infants.

Causes of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxia is the shortage of oxygen and ischemia is a reduced blood supply.

Perinatal Asphyxia occurs during the time of childbirth where the infants brain gets insufficient oxygen.

Cardiac arrest can be a cause of HIE.

A stroke, head trauma, respiratory failure result in periods of hypoxia and ischemia with unwanted consequences as a result.

EEG, clinical evaluation, neuroimaging can assist with diagnosing HIE.

Therapeutic hypothermia is often used treatment for newborns with HIE. Rehabilitation therapies can include speech therapy, physical therapy etc.

Medical negligence occurs in a situation where a healthcare professional failed to meet a standard of care entitled to by the mother and baby in the normal course of care.

Medical care providers must adhere to a duty of care, not breach same resulting in an injury or harm to a patient.

Duty of Care

Evidently a medical professional has a duty of care to the patient.

Medical care providers must adhere to a duty of care, not breach same resulting in an injury or harm to a patient.

A failure to monitor fetal distress, incorrect use of instruments, inadequate post birth care can be medical negligence matters if the care was substandard.

Time Limits

In a medical negligence legal action one has within 2 years from the date of the incident to commence the legal action formally. There is a separate timeframe for minors.

There is an exception termed date of knowledge from the Statute of Limitations Act 1991.

A persons circumstances needs to be assessed on a per case basis to ascertain if Section 2 of the 91 act can apply.

We have a set of medical negligence FAQs which can be seen on our homepage.