Syracuse Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog

"Stroke is the number three cause of death in the United States," said NY medical malpractice attorney Michael A. Bottar, of Bottar Leone, PLLC, a Syracuse-based law firm prosecuting New York stroke misdiagnosis lawsuits.

On top of the 'usual' stroke risk is the increased risk of a cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT) during pregnancy. A CVT is the occlusion, or blockage, of a venous sinus which may extend to veins draining into the sinus. It can lead to regional ischemia and infarction in the cerebral cortex.

In a recent report titled Diagnosis and Management of Cerebral Vein Thrombosis: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals from the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association, the AHA articulated a number of evidence-based standards for the timely diagnosis of a CVT and recommendations for treatment during pregnancy and the post-partum period.

Unlike a conventional arterial stroke, the signs and symptoms of a CVT are more variable and typically take weeks to develop. This increases the risk of CVT misdiagnosis. Most patients suffer from a headache, paresis, seizure (generalized or focal) and mental status disorders.

Research behind the AHA study revealed that women a highest risk for a CVT are those who are pregnant, or taking oral contraceptives, and people under age 45. 73% of CVTs strike during the post-partum period (the +/- 4 weeks after giving birth). Recommendations for clinical diagnosis include: a comprehensive history for risk factors, blood testing, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treatment modalities include anticoagulant medications and, in some cases, endovascular treatment or surgery.

Continue reading "CVT Stroke Risk High During Pregnancy and Postpartum Period" »

Cerebral palsy is a term used to cover a group of brain and nervous system disorders affecting 10,000 babies annually. About 50% of all cerebral palsy cases involve full-term or near full-term infants. According to the American Medical Association, there are ways to prevent cerebral palsy in full-term and premature infants.

One way to prevent CP in a full-term infant is to prevent chorioamnionitis. Chorioamnionitis is an inflammation or infection in the amnion and/or chorion, the membranes that surround and protect a fetus before birth. It affects 1-10% of term births and is often associated with prolonged labor.

Risk factors for chorioamnionitis include: prolonged labor, maternal age (less than 21 years old), prolonged rupture of membranes, first pregnancy, and multiple vaginal examinations during labor. If it is timely diagnosed (typically after a mother exhibits a fever, increased heart rate, uterine tenderness and/or foul smelling amniotic fluid), chorioamnionitis can be treated with intravenous antibiotics (usually ampicillin or clindamycin, plus gentamicin). Undiagnosed chorioamnionitis, which may be the result of medical malpractice, can lead to serious complications including bacteremia, meningitis and respiratory distress syndrome which, depending upon the severity, can restrict fetal oxygenation and lead to cerebral palsy.

In preterm infants, administering a drug called magnesium sulfate 24 hours before delivery may also reduce the risk of cerebral palsy. Studies suggest that "mag sulfate" has a neuroprotective effect.

Continue reading "Study About How To Prevent Cerebral Palsy In Infants Reviewed by New York Birth Injury Lawyers" »