When red blood cells break down too fast in a newborn’s body, it can produce too much bilirubin. In turn, that can cause a type of jaundice known as hemolytic jaundice. While it can be a mild issue, hemolytic jaundice can also cause severe injuries if left untreated.
Symptoms
- Jaundice appearing within the first 24 hours of life
- Rapidly rising bilirubin levels
- Poor feeding or lethargy
- Pale skin or signs of anemia
What causes hemolytic jaundice?
There are several ways a newborn can develop hemolytic jaundice. Autoimmune diseases and genetic conditions may cause the red blood cells to break down quickly. If the newborn needed a blood transfusion at any point during or after birth, it could be due to incompatibility. Or if the newborn’s blood mixed with the mother’s, incompatibility issues may also develop.
Infections or conditions such as sepsis may also trigger a body response that causes the problem. In some cases, genetic disorders may also leave a newborn more open to developing hemolytic jaundice.
How can medical malpractice make hemolytic jaundice worse?
There are several known risks related to hemolytic jaundice that medical providers are trained to watch for. When they ignore those duties, it can lead to the newborn’s symptoms being much worse and increase the severity of the injuries suffered.
Staff are trained to monitor for rising bilirubin levels and to order required bilirubin or hemolysis testing as symptoms develop. Staff are also required to identify any possible blood incompatibility risks if a newborn is receiving a blood transfusion. Injuries can also be made worse if phototherapy or emergency treatments are delayed.
Serious injuries caused by hemolytic jaundice
When a newborn has too much bilirubin in its system, the baby can develop hyperbilirubinemia. That condition can lead to permanent brain damage — known as kernicterus — which may have life-long consequences for the newborn. The child may experience developmental delays along with several types of neurological problems.
If your newborn experienced a bout of hemolytic jaundice, don’t hesitate to contact the team at Weisser Law. While it may seem like it was out of the control of medical staff, we’ll conduct a thorough review of your experience and get to the bottom of what happened and why.
Weisser Law is here to listen to and understand your story while providing the guidance and reassurance you need when taking on the giant insurance companies. Your free consultation with Weisser Law is the first step in fighting for your child’s health and future.
Contact Weisser Law today to schedule your confidential consultation.