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Pregnant Women in Rural Area at Increased Risk of Preeclampsia

A recent study shows that pregnant women who live in rural areas are at a 56% increased risk to develop preeclampsia and other pregnancy induced hypertive disorders.  Preeclampsia causes a rapid increases in blood pressure.  Some other signs of preeclampsia include right upper quadrant pain, headaches, visual disturbances, swelling and the presence of protien in the urine. The study done at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver and presented at the American Society of Nephrology validated many previously known risk factors for preeclampsia and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) such as excessive weight gain, older age and multiple births.  However the relationship between preeclampsia and rural living was a new finding.  According to one researcher the link may be related to maternal poverty and social deprivation.

If preclampsia is not managed properly, the mother is at risk for kidney damage and even death.  The baby is also at risk for among other things developing cerebral palsy.  The only real cure for preeclampsia is labor and delivery of the baby.

At Berger & Lagnese, we obtained a verdict of $6,000,000 in Indiana Pennsylvania where a mother who had preeclampsia was not properly managed and by the time the baby was delivered she had suffered brain damage and  has severe cerebral palsy.

If you have questions about whether your child's cerebral palsy is the result of medical malpractice please contact our team of attorneys.