Hypoglycaemia and cerebral palsy compensation claims
Hypoglycaemia means 'low blood sugar'. If a baby is born or becomes hypoglycaemic and the condition is not diagnosed or is left untreated, there is a risk of health problems, some of which can be serious.
Every single cell in the body needs a supply of sugar - glucose - to work effectively. The healthy newborn baby has a reserve of glucose which is replenished when feeding. The amount of glucose in the blood is measurable, and if it falls below a healthy level and remains there, the baby could become tired, floppy and may have convulsions. If the level remains low for a long time, then it is possible that brain damage could result.
Which babies are at risk of hypoglycaemia?
The vast majority of healthy, term babies are not at risk of hypoglycaemia. They can cope with normal dips in blood sugar level very easily. Regular and sufficient feeding is very important.
However, some babies are at risk. These include:
- pre-term and small-for-gestational-age babies may have poor stores of glycogen in the liver (needed to make glucose), and be short of body fat (meaning they can't draw on fats for energy). In addition, they may be sleepy and hard to feed
- babies of mothers who are diabetic
- babies who have had breathing difficulties at birth
- babies who have suffered hypothermia (excessive coldness)
Babies at risk of low blood sugar normally have blood tests to check their blood sugar levels are within normal limits. The usual way of testing is to take a pinprick of blood from the foot and to test it with either a reagent strip, which changes colour according to the sugar detected, or with a ward-based or laboratory-based device which checks for sugar electronically.
If your baby is in a high-risk category then he/she should be monitored carefully and the blood sugar levels checked on a regular basis. A failure to do this can have serious consequences. Whilst most babies can recover with appropriate treatment, those who do not receive the necessary and prompt treatment can sustain brain damage.
Read our 'Guide for individuals and their families seeking compensation for cerebral palsy' here.
Making a medical negligence claim
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