The Connection Between Maternal BMI and Childhood Epilepsy

Childhood epilepsy is a serious condition, affecting more than three million children nationally, according to KidsHealth.org. While many children outgrow the condition, others deal with the debilitating symptoms their entire lives. Children living with epilepsy have a higher death rate than children without epilepsy, so the recognition and treatment of risk factors is extremely important for prevention of the condition.

A recent study published by Neurology Advisor examines the connection between maternal Body Mass Index (BMI) and the development of childhood epilepsy. As the research shows, the rate of the condition increases when the pregnant mother has an elevated BMI. The rates of epilepsy were higher among babies with the following conditions:

• Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. This brain injury results from a lack of adequate oxygen to the brain. Prolonged labor or delayed delivery decisions can contribute to this condition.
• Neonatal convulsions. This is the most common form of neurological problem among newborns. These incidents do not always lead to long-term epilepsy, but it is possible.
• Neonatal hypoglycemia. This is characterized by low blood sugar in the newborn. It often results when the mother had gestational diabetes.
• Respiratory distress syndrome. This most often occurs when the newborn’s lungs are not fully developed. It commonly stems from a premature birth.
• Neonatal jaundice. This condition develops when the newborn’s body produces abnormally high levels of bilirubin. Left untreated, it can lead to cerebral palsy and brain damage.

Prevention is essential to infant health

Many of these conditions are treatable, or at least manageable, with proper medical care. While mothers have a personal responsibility to manage their own health and weight during pregnancy, treating OBGYNs also have a duty to recognize the risks of obesity and provide adequate care that promotes optimal health for the developing baby. As explained by the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG), physicians must provide care that is free from bias, while also addressing the medical and ethical implications of obesity. When they fail to meet this duty, preventable birth injuries can result.

At the outset of prenatal treatment, the treating physician should calculate the patient’s BMI to gain an accurate view of obesity levels and risk factors. The patient should also receive counseling regarding proper nutrition and physical activity, as well as guidance about the risks of obesity to her and the fetus.

When treating an overweight mother, routine physical examinations may not be sufficient to properly gauge the well-being of the fetus. More frequent ultrasounds may be necessary to adequately monitor fetal growth and presentation within the womb. These types of evaluations are critical to proper care because they can affect the best method of childbirth delivery.

It is also important to note that a physician’s refusal to care for an obese pregnant woman is considered unethical, as explained by ACOG. Doctors are obligated to treat every patient with the same level of care they would provide any other patient.

If you believe that a physician’s negligent care led to your child’s epilepsy or other serious injury, contact an experienced Memphis birth injury attorney. The lawyers of Bailey & Greer, PLLC, provide legal representation to the residents of Memphis, Jackson, and West Tennessee. Call our office at 901-680-9777 or complete our contact form today.