Medical journals report that doctors may have a new test available to them to help check for fetal growth abnormalities and an increased risk of having a premature delivery.
The new test – a simple urine test – measures certain metabolic abnormalities early on in a pregnancy. Based on the findings, where the abnormalities are detected, mothers have a higher change of having a pre term birth.
Premature delivery is considered delivery at any time before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Many life-long problems are associated with premature birth. These include growth difficulties, rapid weight gain and cardiac disorders.
While not all preterm births are preventable, doctors and other care professionals may be able to identify mothers and infants at risk, and take actions to help reduce a mother's chance of preterm delivery, and also decrease the possibility of a birth injury resulting from a preterm birth.
Many other prenatal tests exist. These include tests for genetic disorders and growth abnormalities. It is the role of doctors to advise women concerning what prenatal tests are available and recommended, especially for those who are older or who have certain risk factors. The failure of your doctor to advise you concerning the available tests, and your risk factors may constitute "prenatal negligence."
For more information about prenatal testing and medical malpractice, please contact the experienced Los Angeles birth injury lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.
