Preeclampsia Lawyer in Louisville, KY
A serious pregnancy complication, preeclampsia affects about half a million women each year. Many women who are diagnosed with the disorder have no preexisting condition or risk factors. Sadly, the signs of preeclampsia are often subtle, causing the condition to be missed in many cases. Suppose you have lost a loved one due to a physician’s failure to diagnose or treat preeclampsia. In that case, our medical malpractice attorneys are ready to seek justice on your loved one’s behalf.
Preeclampsia and Common Signs and Symptoms
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder characterized by high blood pressure, high levels of protein in the urine, and organ damage. The condition can mimic typical pregnancy symptoms, often resulting in a misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis. Sometimes, there may be no noticeable symptoms, making it a silent killer.
In addition to high blood pressure and increased protein levels in the urine, other common symptoms of preeclampsia may include:
- Decreased levels of platelets in the blood
- Elevated liver enzymes, indicating liver problems
- Severe and sudden-onset headaches that do not improve with pain medication
- Blurry vision, temporary vision loss, light sensitivity, and other vision changes
- Build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), causing shortness of breath
- Pain in the upper belly, especially on the right side below the ribs
- Edema (swelling) of the face, hands, or around the eyes
- Nausea or vomiting
Tests to Diagnose Preeclampsia
Standard diagnostic tests used to diagnose preeclampsia may include:
Laboratory tests: Blood tests can be administered to check liver and kidney function, along with tests to check the amount of platelets in the blood. These trademark signs of preeclampsia can help in an early diagnosis.
Urine analysis: Increased levels of protein in the urine signify kidney issues.
Fetal ultrasound: Close monitoring of a baby’s growth will track if the infant is hitting fetal weight milestones. Low fetal weight may be a sign of preeclampsia.
Nonstress test: A test that tests how your baby’s heart reacts when you move.
Biophysical profile: This test uses an ultrasound to measure the fetus’s breathing, muscle tone, movement, and amount of amniotic fluid in the uterus. Any abnormalities may indicate fetal distress.
When Is Failure to Diagnose Preeclampsia Due to Physician Negligence?
Typically detected during routine pregnancy checkups, regular screening is key for properly diagnosing preeclampsia. Any expectant mother who has a blood pressure of 140/90 after 20 weeks of pregnancy should have additional screening to determine the cause of the hypertension. Close monitoring is all a physician can do to help a mother with preeclampsia because the only treatment is delivery of the child. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the physician to closely monitor the mother and deliver the child immediately if the condition progresses to the point that the mother’s life is at risk.
In addition to urine analysis to check for protein levels, liver and kidney tests should be administered to confirm a preeclampsia diagnosis. Since preeclampsia shares common symptoms with other pregnancy conditions, routine monitoring is key to diagnosing the disorder in a timely manner.
Contact Our Louisville Preeclampsia Attorneys Today
Preeclampsia can be a fatal condition resulting in death to the mother and potentially the fetus, with fatal complications increasing when not diagnosed early. If you believe that the treating physician did not exhibit the level of care expected of a physician in the obstetrics field, the medical malpractice attorneys at Wilt Injury Lawyers would like to hear from you. To learn more about our services or to schedule your free case review, contact us online or by phone at (502) 427-6813 today.