Seeing your newborn child for the first time should be a joyful experience, but that may not be the case if medical malpractice causes your baby to sustain injuries. There are many types of errors a professional can make, including misdiagnosing a condition.
One issue that could lead to a misdiagnosis is observing that your newborn trembles. A doctor may not correctly identify that they have infant shudder syndrome, or they could mistake a more serious health problem for this condition.
Learn more about infant tremors and whether your child was a victim of negligence.
Infant Shudder Syndrome Explained
Infant shudder syndrome is a benign neurological condition that is not harmful and is not associated with epilepsy. While the exact cause remains unknown, the condition typically involves brief episodes of shivering or trembling that last only a few seconds but may occur multiple times a day.
These episodes do not cause a loss of consciousness and usually do not occur during sleep. This is a key distinction between infant shudder syndrome and epileptic seizures, which often involve altered awareness and abnormal brain activity.
In most cases, infant shudder syndrome resolves on its own as the child grows, without the need for medical intervention.
The Risk of Misdiagnosis
A shivering infant can be stressful to see, often prompting parents to schedule a medical appointment. If a pediatrician is unsure whether the symptoms are caused by infant shudder syndrome or another condition, additional testing may be necessary to rule out underlying health issues.
One of the most effective ways to confirm infant shudder syndrome is through an electroencephalogram (EEG), which measures brain activity during a shuddering episode. Normal EEG results typically indicate that the condition is benign and not related to epilepsy.
When a doctor fails to take appropriate steps to investigate the cause of an infant’s shaking, a misdiagnosis may occur. In some cases, the child may be incorrectly treated for epileptic seizures.
The Consequences of Diagnostic Errors
Children who are misdiagnosed with epilepsy may be prescribed anti-seizure medications such as phenobarbital. These drugs can cause harmful side effects and may lead to additional medical interventions that would not have been necessary if the condition had been properly identified.
Conversely, a physician may be overly confident that an infant has shudder syndrome and decline to order confirmatory tests. When this happens, an underlying medical condition can go untreated, potentially worsening over time and causing avoidable complications.
Can You File a Malpractice Claim After a Misdiagnosis?
If your child has sustained injuries due to a misdiagnosed, you may be entitled to file a medical malpractice claim. This is similar to a personal injury claim, but instead of gathering evidence to establish negligence, you’ll need to show that another medical professional wouldn’t have committed the same error.
Pursuing a malpractice claim can give you the chance to recover your various losses. You stand to receive compensation for the medical expenses you and your family have incurred, as well as the pain and suffering your child has experienced, among other effects.
Turning to a Dependable Atlanta Birth Injury Attorney
Watching your child struggle with the side effects of the wrong medications or undergo complex interventions because of preventable medical misdiagnoses can be devastating. When you hire an experienced attorney, they can fight for compensation on your behalf while you focus on being there for your child.
If you need help in Georgia, contact Georgia Baby Safety at (404) 721-1050 today. We offer a free consultation with an Atlanta birth injury lawyer.
We are proud to serve clients throughout Atlanta, Fulton County, and the surrounding communities.
Georgia Baby Safety
3490 Piedmont Rd NE #1206, Atlanta, GA 30305
404-995-6033
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