Every parent hopes that the birth of their child will be uneventful, but if something happens, giving birth in a hospital can get you that much closer to the care your child needs. These days, it’s not uncommon for doctors to rush newborns to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The unit has the tools and facilities needed to treat a variety of conditions. Though watching your child be rushed off to the unit can be alarming, it’s not always a sign that your child is experiencing life-threatening conditions or birth injuries. Your Pennsylvania birth injury attorney explains what you need to know.
Common Reasons Why Babies Go to the NICU
In most cases, your medical care team simply wants what’s best for you and the baby. This means they may act out of an abundance of care and send your child to the NICU if they believe anything looks out of the ordinary or that your child could benefit from additional monitoring. Here are some of the common reasons why doctors send newborns to the NICU so you can better understand what’s going on.
Low Blood Sugar
During the first two hours after their birth, some newborns may experience hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. Typically, the effects are temporary. However, if left untreated, hypoglycemia can result in seizures and other long-term health conditions. Doctors suspecting hypoglycemia may send your child to the NICU for additional monitoring and treatment to bring blood sugar levels back up.
Developmental Conditions
Many conditions can be diagnosed during the later terms of your pregnancy, but some developmental conditions like heart defects and underdeveloped lungs may not become apparent until birth. These conditions are not your fault, and doctors send your child to the NICU for monitoring and treatment to help stabilize their condition. By acting fast, many doctors are able to provide children with the care they need to live healthier lives.
Jaundice
Jaundice causes a newborn’s skin and eyes to appear yellowy and it’s one of the most common reasons newborns are sent to the NICU. It’s typically not life-threatening, but doctors trust the NICU to administer appropriate treatment to ensure that your child is as healthy as possible before they go home. The condition impacts nearly 60% of newborns, and while it may look alarming, the NICU is equipped to treat your child quickly.
Breathing Problems – Meconium Aspiration
Breathing issues are a common reason for NICU admissions, and one specific concern is meconium aspiration. This occurs when a baby inhales a mixture of meconium (the baby’s first stool) and amniotic fluid during delivery. Meconium aspiration can cause blockages in the baby’s airways, leading to difficulty breathing. In severe cases, it can result in infections or lung inflammation. The NICU has specialized equipment and expertise to provide respiratory support, administer treatments, and monitor the baby’s condition until their breathing stabilizes. Early intervention often ensures a full recovery.
Birth Injuries
Of course, if your doctor suspects a birth injury, they may also rush your child to the NICU. In these instances, the medical care team may act so quickly that they leave you and your loved ones wondering what happened for longer than they should. Some common birth injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Suspected nerve injuries
- Scalp injuries
- Abnormal swelling and bruising
The NICU is set up to treat your child for birth injuries more adequately than the delivery room. But if you suspect that your child is being taken to the unit for an injury, be prepared to ask questions and follow up with the doctor for the answers you need. The more information you can get, the better off you’ll be if you choose to work with a Pennsylvania birth injury attorney to hold the medical care team responsible for any negligence.
Ask Your Doctor for an Explanation
If your medical care team moves your child to the NICU, ask for an explanation. If they refuse to answer or only answer in vague terms, immediately contact the patient advocate and continue pressing for answers. As a parent, you’re entitled to detailed information about your child’s health, condition, and well-being.
Seek Legal Help
If your child was injured by the medical care team or suffered a condition the team could’ve prevented with reasonable care, you may be able to hold the doctor, support team, and hospital accountable for their actions. Let an experienced Pennsylvania birth injury attorney at Latona Law help you understand your options. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.