The Dangers of Umbilical Cord Accidents

One of the causes of birth injuries and still births is damage to the umbilical cord, your baby’s lifeline while in utero. A report by the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network, a department in the National Institutes of Health, referenced a study of 512 stillbirths. The article claims that: “Umbilical cord accidents (UCA) represented 10% of stillbirths” in their study, but that some studies put “the UCA associated stillbirth rate at 15%.”

Umbilical cord dangers

Even if the child survives, a damaged or injured umbilical cord can have long-term effects on your child’s health and development. Your child could end up with permanent brain damage or neurological conditions if the umbilical cord:

• Becomes wrapped around the neck of your child
• Prolapses, making it impossible for your child to obtain the nutrients he or she needs
• Is compressed in any way, or develops kinks or knots
• Develops damaged blood vessels
• Develops abnormally without a doctor diagnosing it
• Does not insert into the placenta; rather, it inserts into the membranes (called a velamentous cord insertion), a condition known as yasa previa.

To help put an end to umbilical cord injuries and accidents like these, the study recommends that doctors start screening for potential problems while the fetus is still in utero. The article claims that “it is now possible to identify UCA on ultrasound and test for the compromised fetus,” and suggests when a “UCA is detected, the mother should be hospitalized and evaluated with ultrasound and fetal heart rate monitoring for at least 24 hours. If fetal behavior or the fetal heart rate is abnormal, the observation period should be extended and if necessary deliver the baby.”

Umbilical cord injury lawsuits

Umbilical cord accidents happen often enough to make them a serious concern for mothers and doctors alike. If your OB/GYN fails to recognize an injured or damaged umbilical cord during an ultrasound, or fails to take prompt action if your child beings to show any signs of fetal distress, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against the doctor for medical negligence.

Contact Plaxen Adler Muncy today

At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we offer victims of medical malpractice and their families options for moving forward. To discuss your case with an experienced Maryland malpractice lawyer, we invite you to contact the firm.

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