Phoenix Gestational Diabetes Attorneys for the Victims of Medical Malpractice
Gestational diabetes is an elevation of blood sugar levels during pregnancy in women who have never had diabetes in the past. It is believed to affect one in five pregnant women. While the cause of gestational diabetes is unclear, some physicians suspect that hormones from the placenta, which help fetal development, also cause insulin resistance in the mother which prevents glucose from being converted to energy. Glucose then builds up in the blood to high levels, also known as hyperglycemia.
Gestational Diabetes Can Cause Birth Injuries
Untreated or poorly controlled gestational diabetes can harm the developing fetus as the extra blood glucose in the mother is able to travel through the placenta, resulting in high glucose levels in the fetus. As a result, the fetus receives more energy then it needs to grow and develop, so the excess is stored as fat. This can lead to complications during birth, including shoulder dystocia and an increased risk of breathing problems immediately following birth. The increased glucose also causes the fetus to produce extra insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. This increases the risk for obesity and the development of type II diabetes later in life.
Treatment of Gestational Diabetes
The failure to recognize and take steps to control gestational diabetes is malpractice. Most obstetricians will order gestational diabetes screening between 24 and 28 weeks for all pregnant patients, even if they have few or no risk factors for gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually can be easily controlled. Treatment for gestational diabetes includes a well-planned diet and moderate exercise. Insulin is prescribed if diet and exercise are not enough to control blood sugar levels.
Contact our Phoenix, Arizona Medical Malpractice Law Firm for Claims Involving Gestational Diabetes
Contact us at (602) 648-3200 about any medical negligence a loved one may have experienced anywhere in Arizona as a result of the failure to diagnose or treat gestational diabetes. Consultations are free and confidential.
