Causation--fetal brain injury and uterine rupture.
The purpose of this article is to familiarize the reader with the concept of causation and the role of the concept of foreseeability of harm in obstetric malpractice lawsuits. These concepts are incorporated into several hypothetical fetal brain injury and uterine rupture cases. The discussion involves an overview of available scientific evidence used to substantiate or refute whether a child's brain damage or a maternal uterine rupture was in fact related to the obstetric care in question. In the event of the delivery of a depressed newborn, a checklist of scientific evidence to be gathered at the time of delivery is also provided.
Phelan
Jeffrey P
JP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Citrus Valley Medical Center, West Covina, CA 91746, USA. phelanjp@earthlink.net
Korst
Lisa M
LM
Martin
Gilbert I
GI
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000196:embryology / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014597:Uterine Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*