National Medical Malpractice Law Firm for Acidosis at Birth and Brain Damage

Acidosis Birth Injury Lawyers

There is an association between acidosis (acidemia) and brain damage. If your child had acidosis as an infant and has learning difficulties. The Fitzgerald Law Firm has successfully handled birth injury / brain damage cases involving acidosis. For a free consultation with a lawyer at The Fitzgerald Law Firm, call toll-free at 1-800-323-9900 or submit the firm’s online contact form.

What is Acidosis?

Acidosis (also referred to as acidemia) is excessive acid in the body. There are two main categories of acidosis:

  • Metabolic acidosis – an accumulation of acid in the body fluids or a significant loss of bicarbonate (see our metabolic acidosis case with a jury verdict for $31,575,000)
  • Respiratory acidosis – The build-up of carbon dioxide in the body due to poor lung or heart function

There are several types of metabolic acidosis, including lactic acidosis and renal tubular acidosis.

Acidosis in Newborns and Brain Damage

Neonatal acidosis is most common in premature infants and newborns that experienced oxygen deprivation during labor, delivery, or shortly after birth (oxygen deprivation during this time is called birth asphyxia). Acidosis is fatal if not treated quickly and, even if treated quickly, can cause permanent brain damage.

A birth malpractice lawsuit claiming medical negligence caused acidosis can involve:

  • Failure to diagnose acidosis
  • Failure to prevent oxygen deprivation during labor, deliver, or shortly after birth (birth asphyxia)
  • Failure to prevent respiratory distress
  • Delay in treatment
  • Inadequate care
  • Any medical negligence

A birth injury lawsuit may also have claims against parties responsible for environmental toxins that may have caused the acidosis. These claims could be against apartment building owners for lead paint, companies that polluted water supplies or the air, or governments.

Causes of Neonatal (Newborn) Acidosis

  • Birth asphyxia (oxygen deprivation)
  • Sepsis
  • Respiratory distress
  • Hypovolaemia (decreased blood volume)
  • Hypothermia
  • Anemia
  • Kidney malfunction / damage
  • Heart failure / heart problems
  • Metabolism problems