title: Obstetric malpractice litigation and cerebral palsy in term infants.
abstract: Despite the recognition by many researchers that cerebral palsy (CP) is rarely related to obstetric malpractice, there are many instances where obstetricians face litigation when a child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy following a difficult delivery. The aim of this paper is to review relevant research papers to aid practitioners involved in obstetric malpractice litigation. It is also prudent to question the feasibility of costs for long-term care for children with disabilities being met through the legal process.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Children's Hospital Westmead and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia. sandra.johnson@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Sandra Lucille
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Eve
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.forename: Fiona J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Stanley
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000209:etiology*; D035881:Compensation and Redress / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003245:Consensus Statements as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D047929:Term Birth