Kernicterus and New York Medical Malpractice: Kingston Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Birth Injury

Understanding How Kernicterus Could be Caused by New York Medical Malpractice: Kingston Medical Malpractice Lawyer Explains

Kernicterus is one of the most devastating and catastrophic conditions that could affect your baby and you may never have heard of it.  Unless, that is, it has happened to you.  If your beloved newborn has been diagnosed with Kernicterus, it very well may be due to New York medical malpractice.  Our Albany medical malpractice lawyer knows that Kernicterus is usually caused by serious medical errors including delays in diagnosing, improper treatment, and horrible follow-up care.  If your baby has Kernicterus, you need us to help protect your rights.

What is Kernicterus?

Kernicterus is a very obvious condition.  It is a severe form of jaundice.  This is why causes a baby is appear a little yellow, including the baby’s skin and eyes.  While jaundice in a baby is perfectly normal, when that jaundice lasts for too long it could be actually Kernicterus.  How long is too long?  A few days of jaundice is normal, but more than that a healthcare provider should begin to check for symptoms.

How is Kernicterus Dangerous to a Baby and Possible New York Medical Malpractice?

Kernicterus is the buildup of bilirubin in the blood.  This is normally removed from the body by functioning organs, like the kidney and liver.  In a baby, these organs are just starting to fully function by themselves and may take a few days to be able to handle 100% of the duties that the mother’s body would help with.  When the bilirubin is allowed to accumulate too high, it causes hyperbilirubinemia.  This severe jaundice is Kernicterus.

With the excess bilirubin, it is actually like a poison.  This can cause damage to a baby, most particularly to the brain.  This is due to the caustic nature of the bilirubin, but also due to the disruption of oxygen diffusion in the blood from the buildup of bilirubin.  When there is damage to a baby’s developing brain, it could result in horrific injuries.  

Thus, when Kernicterus is not immediately diagnosed and treated, it could be New York medical malpractice.  Families should call our Albany medical malpractice lawyer to learn how our law firm can help represent you.

Shouldn’t a doctor who fails to diagnose an OBVIOUS condition, one which causes a baby to turn yellow for DAYS, be liable for Albany medical malpractice?  Absolutely!  But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com.  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.