During pregnancy, expectant mothers in Oregon face numerous conditions and challenges that can have a life-long impact on their health and the health of their unborn babies. Good prenatal care is essential, since conditions such as preeclampsia, or high blood pressure during pregnancy, must be closely monitored for the safety of both the mother and her child.
A failure to diagnose expectant mothers with sexually transmitted diseases can also have a dire impact on the life of the mother and her unborn baby. One city is currently struggling after a record outbreak of syphilis among pregnant women. A total of 18 babies were born with syphilis in the area in 2012. Five of these babies died at birth, and the remaining 13 have life-long disabilities and health problems. The surviving babies suffer from blindness, facial deformities and mental conditions.
According to a local spokesman, these cases were all preventable if blood tests for the disease had been conducted during the pregnancies. If left untreated, syphilis can eventually kill a person. A single dose of penicillin will cure the disease.
As shown by this story, the failure to diagnose a disease such as syphilis can have serious and even fatal consequences. A healthcare provider’s failure to properly test a patient for a disease is inexcusable, since it can result in delayed treatment and even death. This is true for many other health conditions, as well. If you have suffered due to a physician’s failure to diagnose you with a health condition, you may be entitled to file a medical malpractice claim against the responsible parties.
Source: KVUE, “San Antonio in midst of syphilis epidemic,” Dillon Collier, Jan. 10, 2013