Failure to Diagnose Gestational Diabetes - Chicago Birth Injury Law

Gestational diabetes is a common occurrence in pregnancy, and affects thousands of pregnant women each year. If left untreated, it can lead to various medical complications for the mother and the child. In this post, our Willens birth injury law offices will discuss this issue in detail.

Causes of gestational diabetes

Over the past 20 years, gestational diabetes has become more prevalent. This can be attributed to various reasons including:

• Decrease in physical activity
• Increase in maternal obesity
• Family history of diabetes
• Being 25 and older when pregnant
• Excessive amniotic fluid

Symptoms of gestational diabetes

Most women do not experience any symptoms. Some women get back to their normal blood sugar levels a few weeks after delivery. Some common symptoms include:

• Increased thirst and urination
• Fatigue
• Frequent infections
• Blurred vision
• Weight loss
• Nausea and/or vomiting

How does it affect infants?

If left undiagnosed or untreated, or even poorly treated, gestational diabetes can put the infant at risk of several complications. When the pregnant woman develops gestational diabetes, her pancreas has to develop harder to produce the insulin required for the body, this can increase the blood glucose levels in the infant, and even the infant’s pancreas also starts producing extra insulin in order to rid the blood glucose passed down from mother.

High blood glucose levels and extra insulin can increase the risk of fetal macrosomia, or fat baby syndrome, which means, that the baby would gain excessive weight and would be disproportionately large. This may put the infant at risk of other birth injuries such as shoulder dystocia, brachial plexus, and others.

Also, with gestational diabetes the risk of early labor and delivery also increases. This has its own risks such as infant respiratory distress syndrome.

How does it affect the mother?

Women with gestational diabetes are also at a high risk of preeclampsia, which is a severe health complication marked by very high blood pressure. This condition can lead to organ damage, and put the life of both mother and child at risk.

Gestational diabetes also increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes in future pregnancies as well.

Gestational Diabetes Treatment

According to the American Diabetes Association, gestational diabetes need regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, and change in diet habits. Regular insulin injections may be required to keep the blood sugar levels in control. The doctor may also recommend some light exercises and special diet plans to help the mother lose weight, if gestational diabetes is linked to maternal obesity.

Who is liable if gestational diabetes is left undiagnosed or untreated?

Early detection and treatment can help prevent any complications associated with gestational diabetes. If you gestational diabetes was left undiagnosed or was not managed properly, and you or your baby suffered injury as a result, you should consult a qualified Chicago birth injury lawyer. The lawyer will help obtain rightful compensation for your losses and suffering from the responsible doctor. Call Willens Law Offices at (312) 957-4166 today to schedule a free and private consultation.