What Are the Risks of Preterm Birth?

Preterm birth occurs when a baby arrives prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy. At this point, the child may not be fully developed, and that increases the risk of health complications.

Data from the World Health Organization shows that 13.4 million babies were born preterm in 2020 and that these complications are the leading cause of death in children that are under the age of five. In 2019, preterm births led to 900,000 deaths.

What is a preterm birth?

There are several classifications of preterm birth. The earlier a child is born, the higher the risks are for complications to health.

• A baby born at less than 28 weeks is considered extremely preterm.
• A child born at 28 weeks but less than 32 weeks is considered very premature.
• A child born between 32 and 37 weeks is moderate to late preterm.

Complications can occur in all of these situations. The symptoms a child experiences are dependent on many factors, including what is causing the preterm birth.

Common health problems associated with premature births

The Cleveland Clinic shares several common health complications that occur as a result of preterm births. The organization notes that the fetus needs to be in the uterus to develop fully and properly. When a child is born too early, they may not have developed fully, and that can lead to numerous health complications, including the following:

• Underdeveloped lungs
• Breathing irregularities, include apnea
• Underdeveloped blood vessels in the eye
• Blood infections, called neonatal sepsis
• Bleeding in the brain
• Abnormal blood flow within the heart

Many of these health complications can lead to poor health and a failure to thrive. However, they can also impact a child for years to come and limit their overall growth and development. Some of the long-term complications that come from preterm births include the following:

• Hearing problems
• Vision problems
• Poor growth
• Cerebral palsy

It is also important to note that the mother could also face a variety of health risks associated with preterm birth. That includes anxiety, problems with postpartum depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In some cases, a mother could also suffer immediate health complications and the risk of death.

Common causes of preterm birth

There are various factors that can play a role in the occurrence of preterm birth. There are some situations where doctors are unsure and cannot determine why this occurs. Other times, it is due to one of the following causes of preterm birth:

• High blood pressure during pregnancy, called preeclampsia
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Diabetes, infections, or other chronic health conditions
• Little time between pregnancies
• Problems with the cervix or uterus

In many situations, it is critical to gather as much information as possible to determine if there is any insight that could provide a warning about the condition. For example, doctors can monitor for health risks, provide mothers with guidance on how to protect their child’s health, and provide a high level of prenatal care.

If a doctor fails to monitor a mother’s health prior to the birth of the child, and that leads to an early birth, the doctor or other medical providers could be at fault. For example, some people may have warning signs that indicate a higher level of care, and prevention strategies may be necessary. This includes people who:

• Experienced physical trauma during pregnancy.
• Have had previous premature births.
• Have a pre-existing medical condition that puts them at risk, including chronic hypertension, diabetes, or a history of lung disease.
• Poor nutrition during pregnancy.

There are many times when these conditions occur, and symptoms become noticeable that may indicate different approaches to care or enhanced supervision. Not every situation can be prevented.

How to find out if your child’s injuries could have been prevented

There are some situations where a doctor may not pay close enough attention or may misdiagnose a condition that could have prevented preterm birth. Other times, complications during birth can lead to injuries and long-term loss. In situations like this, it is critical for families to know that they should seek out legal support.

Do not assume that the hospital will tell you everything possible about this incident, nor that it was preventable. They may not tell you that anything was done poorly to lead to the preterm birth. As tragic as that is, there is, without a doubt, a great deal on the line. You need to gather as much information as possible to ensure you know exactly what occurred and if it could have been prevented.

Let our Little Rock medical malpractice attorneys work to protect your rights

You may not know what to expect or how to know if there was a risk to your child that could have been determined and prevented. Yet, we can do the research and gather the data that is out there to determine what happened.

Our medical malpractice attorneys are uniquely skilled in their ability to research the steps taken by all involved parties to determine if anyone acted negligently. If that is the case, we will do what it takes to pursue financial compensation for you.

Some of the questions we will try to answer include:

• Did anyone act outside of the expected level of care that any other doctor would have acted?
• Was there any sign or symptom of the problem early on that was not addressed in a timely matter?
• Did any doctor, hospital, or other medical provider make a mistake that caused the preterm birth to occur?
• Was proper education and support provided to the mother to prevent these risks?

When you are facing a complication so devastating as preterm birth, it is critical that you have legal help by your side. Let us do the work to learn as much as possible about the incident and the potential ways it could have been avoided.

Contact Bailey & Greer PLLC to learn more about your legal rights. Our dedicated Little Rock birth injury attorneys have experience in preterm birth negligence. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation today.

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• What Is Placenta Previa?
• What Is Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)?
• How Placental Injuries Lead to Birth Injuries
• What Is the Difference Between A Birth Injury and a Birth Defect?
• Can I Sue If My Child Is Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy?
• What Are the Most Common Birth Injuries?
• Recognizing the Signs of Preeclampsia