Blood sugar test in newborn

[Moohound70]

My son was born in 2007 and i was on labetolol for raised blood pressure. There was a protocol that his blood sugar should have been checked following delivery but this was not done. He has since had ongoing problems with coordination, balance poor muscle tone and weakness especially in his hands with fine motor grip. The hospital informed me that they had not followed their policy at the time but I was still 'shell shocked' after a traumatic delivery and didn't really take the infomation in properly. I pay for him to see a private paediatric physical therapist and this has helped somewhat. Is it worth persuing a claim against the hospital to help pay for the assistance he needs? He is currently undergoing an EHCP assessment as well. He was IQ tested by the educational psychologists and scored at 127. I feel his physical issues may hold him back from reaching his full potential. No other cause or diagnosis has been identified as to why he is this way.

[Amethyst]

Re: Blood sugar test in newborn

Do you know if his medical issues are directly related to blood pressure or blood sugar ? or related directly to the medication you were taking during pregnancy?

I believe limitations for clinical negligence would be 3 (personal injury) or 6 years ( malpractice) so you could be out of time. unless the recent tests are the first time you became aware of the issue - although 'The hospital informed me that they had not followed their policy at the time' may be taken as the start of the limitations period.

You really need to speak with an experienced clinical/medical negligence solicitor to find out if you have any chance of a claim. Have you already done so ?

[des8]

Re: Blood sugar test in newborn

There are a number of exceptions to the general three year rule that can stop or delay time running for medicalnegligence claims:
o The limitation period does not start to run for children until they reach the age of 18 years. In law this is thetime they reach their majority. This means that the limitation period expires on their 21st birthday.
o People who are under a disability by reason of a lack of capacity (however caused) may be able to issueproceedings at any time, as in severe cases, the three year period may never start to run. The limitationperiod may however start to run if mental capacity returns.

[Moohound70]

Re: Blood sugar test in newborn

The nurse said at the time that he would be ok because he had fed well in his first few days, but in fact he didn't feed well until after I took him home, we were in for 7 days because my blood pressure was still high. He was breastfed and stuggled at first, I fed him expressed milk from a sip cup while in hospital.

[Peridot]

Re: Blood sugar test in newborn

The issue you have is showing that the problems your son is experiencing now are due to the hospital not following their procedure of testing his birth blood sugar level (and presumably correcting it if it was not within normal ranges) and that in not testing him they missed an abnormal level which has led to his problems. You would also need to show that this is the most likely cause and that there are no other likely causes.
Are you saying that your being on Labetolol is more likely to cause an abnormal blood sugar in a new born and that if this had been picked up at birth he would not have the problems he has now?
Have you discussed the possible causes of your son's problems with his treating consultant/GP or had any other expert input?
The other thing you would need to do in order to pursue a clinical negligence claim would be to make a formal complaint to the hospital. Solicitor would not take on the claim if that step has not been followed. However, as your son is only 10 it may be worth discussing this at a free initial appointment with a clinical/medical negligence specialist lawyer.

[Moohound70]

Re: Blood sugar test in newborn

I spoke to the community paediatrician and she said didn't know whether it caused it or not, there is a protocol that newborns of mothers on Labetolol should be tested as they may have low blood sugar and it can cause neurological damage, I don't know if he had low blood sugar as no one tested it as they were meant to. when they came to tell me that he had been missed they still never bothered to test him at that point and said he was OK because he fed well, but he didn't feed well initially and I was not really in a fit mental state to ask questions, and its now on my mind that it might be this as we talked about what happened at his birth with the community paediatrician when he went for his EHCP assessment. There was even a display in a board on the wall about this and a flow chart for the protocol, I didn't see this until I was taking him home as I was in a single room.

I have not consulted anyone about this yet or complained to the trust.

[Peridot]

Re: Blood sugar test in newborn

Hi,
I think it would be worth your while having a chat with a clinical negligence specialist. However I would point out these sorts of claim are difficult to prove. There can be many causes for neurological problems and proving the lack of blood sugar testing at birth, did mean that an abnormal blood sugar level was not discovered and treated appropriately which then lead to your sons problems now may be difficult to prove.
I do think it is worth exploring this further with an expert.
If a clinical negligence claim is possible for your son then you should be able to deal with it under a conditional fee agreement (no win no fee).
Do come back if you need to discuss any thing about any advice you receive.