The impact of undiagnosed hydrocephalus in newborns and young children can be severe and result in brain damage that affects cognitive function and development. The Chicago hydrocephalus misdiagnosis attorneys of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC help ensure that the parents of children who have suffered traumatic injuries due to the inability or failure of doctors to detect this condition may be able to care for the needs of their children due to their conditions.
The condition is caused by the buildup of fluids inside of the brain, resulting in damage from massive pressure produced when the fluids have no means of escaping the skull.
Symptoms of Hydrocephalus in Infants and Small Children
Due to the debilitating impact of hydrocephalus on the brain function of children, it is important to diagnose and treat the condition before the damage becomes severe enough to impact learning, motor function, and reasoning skills.
Recognition of the symptoms is the first step toward a diagnosis and when your doctor notices the following symptoms, he or she should initiate tests to rule out any conditions that could be the cause. Failure to order tests when a child is symptomatic for this disorder can be considered a form of malpractice or negligence.
- Intense irritability that does not seem to pass.
- A constant downward gaze in newborns.
- Sudden high-pitched crying that only lasts momentarily.
- A bulge in the fontanelle, or the soft spot of the skull, may reveal a buildup of pressure.
- Fatigue or excessive tiredness.
- Vomiting.
- Inability to concentrate or the loss of reasoning skills.
- Uncontrollable movement of the eyes, the crossing of the eyes, or changes in the space between the eyes.
- Urinary incontinence or the loss of bowel control.
- Uncontrolled muscle movements or spasms.
- Seizures.
Hydrocephalus can cause severe damage to the areas of the brain responsible for reasoning, learning, and memory. Children suffering from this condition may show sudden short-term memory loss or sudden changes in behavior or attitude.
This can include outbursts, sudden depression, or irrational behavior. If you notice any of these sudden changes, seek medical attention for your child.
Treatment of Hydrocephalus
Our Chicago Hydrocephalus attorneys often try cases that involve the needless injury of our clients due to a simple failure to provide timely treatment. When hydrocephalus is detected and treated in a prompt manner, it is possible to mitigate or prevent the brain damage that occurs from the buildup of pressure inside of the brain.
Patients who are suffering from this condition undergo a rather complex procedure in which a shunt is created inside of the head to remove excess fluid and prevent the buildup of pressure.
A hole is drilled into the skull and a system of tubes, catheters, and a pressure-activated valve and reservoir system is created to remove excess fluid from the brain as it begins to build up.
The valve is designed to activate when the pressure inside of the skull reaches an unsafe level and the system then flushes the fluid buildup, decreasing the pressure buildup in the process.
This system is not perfect and the shunt must be monitored and tested on a regular basis to ensure it is working properly. Additionally, patients with this condition should be monitored regularly for symptoms of excessive pressure inside the skull.
A Doctor’s Duty to Diagnose Hydrocephalus
Many medical injuries are preventable and patients should not be held financially responsible for the mistakes of their physicians. When a doctor misses a diagnosis, he or she is liable to provide compensation for the medical treatment of any injuries or medical complications that have resulted from a failed diagnosis.
The compensation that the victim is entitled to includes the cost of medical care, loss of income or financial opportunity, out-of-pocket expenses, pain and suffering, and the long-term economic impact of any conditions that may have resulted from the error.
Caring for children with developmental or neurological conditions can be financially taxing and parents should never be forced to bear this financial burden in addition to the pain of watching their children struggle.
Talk to Chicago Hydrocephalus Misdiagnosis Attorney
Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options during a risk-free case evaluation with one of our reputable attorneys. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC is an award-winning team of attorneys representing clients across Illinois and we have successfully recovered compensation on behalf of thousands of victims of medical malpractice. Once we have had the opportunity to examine the details of your case, we will let you know how we can ensure the maximum recovery of damages from your case.
Our Chicago misdiagnosis hydrocephalus attorneys only receive payment after successfully securing compensation on behalf of our clients and if we fail to recover damages for you, our services will be free of charge.
