Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. This condition poses health risks for both mother and child; thus, proper diagnosis and management is crucial in ensuring their safety. If your doctor’s misdiagnosis of this condition has led to harm (in either mother or child), you may be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice claim.
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes – or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) – occurs due to hormonal changes that a pregnant woman is experiencing. Whereas normal pregnancies are capable of producing enough insulin to battle GDM, some mothers cannot produce enough insulin to resist the condition. Some genetic and lifestyle factors contribute to the on-set of gestational diabetes.[1]
Here are some risk factors associated with the condition:
- Maternal obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Family history
- History of gestational diabetes
- Macrosomia (having a larger baby inside the womb)
- Metabolic issue
It is your healthcare provider's responsibility to identify these risk factors and prescribe all necessary tests.
How Common is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a common complication in pregnancies. In the US, about 7% of pregnancies are affected by GDM. Incidence is significantly higher in Europe where about 11% of pregnancies are complicated by the condition. A recent study by the International Diabetes Federation estimates that about 17% of all pregnancies are met with GDM globally.[1]
Doctor Misdiagnosed Your Gestational Diabetes?
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How Could Gestational Diabetes Tests Be Wrong?
Mothers at risk of gestational diabetes should be tested around the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy. There are 2 main approaches when diagnosing GDM, any/both of which can be prescribed by your doctor based on what is ideal for your case.[1] While these tests are designed to catch gestational diabetes at different extents, some professional lapses may contribute to the misdiagnosis of the condition.
These medical lapses include (but are not limited to):
- Mistiming the required tests
- Improper sample handling
- Misinterpretation of results
- Overlooking confounding factors (i.e., recent food intake or other medications)
- Improper equipment calibration
- Documentation and communication errors (within the medical team)
The lapses will undoubtedly lead to misdiagnosis – effectively delaying all necessary treatments. On the other hand, cases wherein the diagnosis was false-positive would expose both mother and child to unnecessary (and potentially harmful) medications.
Potential Long-Term Complications and Mismanagement
Gestational diabetes, when left unmanaged, can make deliveries difficult. It is an important risk factor that contributes to incidences of birth injury. It can also lead to adverse outcomes for mothers if doctors fail to respond to labor difficulties.
Here are some potential long-term complications that may stem from gestational diabetes misdiagnosis:
For false-negative diagnosis (unmanaged gestational diabetes):
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
- Fetal seizures and potential brain damage
- Birth fractures
- Erb’s palsy
- Intrauterine fetal demise (stillbirth)
For false-positive diagnosis (unnecessary interventions):
- Unnecessary cesarean section
- Iatrogenic preterm delivery
- Overzealous induction of labor
- Excessive use of labor-inducing medications
All medical expenses (past and future) are considered in a medical malpractice claim. In birth injury cases, compensation ensures that an injured child is provided with all the necessary support for their growth and development. Injured mothers must also be allowed to return to their healthiest state.
Apart from medical expenses, other economic and non-economic losses are also factored in. Lost income, emotional trauma, and decreased quality of life are some of the more common considerations. For actual compensation figures, please refer to our previous wins.
Seeking Medical Compensation?
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Speak to a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today
At the Porter Law Group, our team of proven medical malpractice lawyers delivers ideal results. We take pride in helping families rebuild after unfavorable circumstances. We operate on a contingency basis – meaning you do not need to pay us anything unless we win your case. Through this approach, we can better support families during their times of need.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, please reach out to us for a non-obligatory free case evaluation. You can also contact us at 833-PORTER9 or info@porterlawteam.com to schedule a consultation.