Learning that your baby has suffered from fetal metabolic acidemia is overwhelming. While some cases result from natural complications, others may be linked to preventable medical mistakes.
If you’re unsure whether malpractice played a role, understanding the condition and your legal options can help you decide what steps to take for your child’s future. Our team at Frank Spector Law can help you evaluate whether you have a legal claim.
If your child was diagnosed with birth asphyxia or showed signs of metabolic acidemia at birth, and you believe medical negligence may have been involved, our Baltimore birth asphyxia attorney can help you explore your legal options and fight for the compensation your family deserves.
Our experience with fetal acidemia malpractice cases
At Frank Spector Law, we have over 30 years of experience representing families whose children have suffered birth injuries due to medical negligence. Our record of success in handling complex birth injury cases demonstrates our commitment to securing justice for our clients:
- $1.5 million jury verdict awarded in Baltimore City for a child who suffered a permanent birth injury affecting arm and shoulder function
- $2.5 million settlement secured for a newborn in Washington, DC, who sustained a preventable injury during delivery
Our dedication to birth injury cases has allowed us to develop specialized knowledge in fetal acidemia cases, understanding both the medical complexities and the legal pathways to compensation.
✔️ Our law firm focuses exclusively on medical malpractice and birth injury cases, giving us the specialized expertise needed to handle the complex medical and legal aspects of fetal acidemia claims.
What is fetal acidemia?
Fetal acidemia occurs when a baby’s blood becomes abnormally acidic before or during birth. It is defined by a low umbilical artery pH, typically below 7.20, and reflects an excess of hydrogen ions in the bloodstream.
Acidemia itself is a broad term; it refers to any cause of low blood pH in the fetus and can result from respiratory causes (like CO₂ retention), metabolic causes (such as lactic acid buildup), or a combination of both.
One of the most common pathways to fetal acidemia is a lack of oxygen at birth (hypoxia). When a fetus does not receive enough oxygen during labor or delivery, the body shifts from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism, which leads to the accumulation of lactic acid. If this acid is not cleared, it causes the blood to become more acidic, lowering the pH.
According to a large study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, outcomes worsen as the pH drops further. Babies with an umbilical artery pH below 7.20 are at increased risk for complications, while those with a pH below 7.00 face significantly higher chances of neurologic injuries such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and seizures.
It’s important to note that fetal acidemia is not a diagnosis of injury on its own, but a warning sign that the baby may have experienced significant stress or oxygen deprivation. The presence of acidemia often prompts further investigation into possible complications or medical errors.
💡 Fetal acidemia is often preventable with proper monitoring and timely intervention. When healthcare providers fail to recognize and respond to signs of fetal distress, it may constitute medical negligence that could support a birth injury lawsuit.
If you believe your child’s birth injury was preventable, contact our birth injury lawyer in Baltimore for a free consultation.
Fetal acidemia vs fetal metabolic acidemia
Understanding the distinction between these terms is vital for both medical treatment and potential legal claims.
| Term | What It Means | Legal Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Fetal Acidemia | Broad term for excess acidity in fetal blood | May result from various causes, including hypoxia or respiratory compromise |
| Fetal Metabolic Acidemia | Specific form caused by oxygen deprivation (hypoxia), leading to lactic acid buildup | Stronger indicator of prolonged fetal distress, often associated with HIE or cerebral palsy |
Fetal metabolic acidemia is particularly significant in birth injury cases because it reflects sustained oxygen deprivation that may have been preventable with appropriate medical care. An umbilical artery pH below 7.0 combined with a base deficit over 12 mmol/L is considered a clinical marker that may support a claim of medical malpractice, especially when fetal monitoring or intervention was delayed.
Fetal metabolic acidemia vs fetal acidosis
While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they represent different clinical conditions that may have different implications for your child’s health and your legal case.
| Term | Source of Acidity | Duration | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fetal acidosis | May result from respiratory or metabolic causes | Often short-term | Not always linked to long-term injury |
| Metabolic acidemia | Caused by lactic acid buildup from prolonged hypoxia | Prolonged | Strongly associated with HIE and brain injury |
💡 In contrast to metabolic acidemia, respiratory acidosis in newborns occurs when carbon dioxide builds up in the blood due to impaired gas exchange. This form of acidosis can occur during or shortly after birth and may resolve more quickly if managed promptly.
Understanding fetal metabolic acidosis vs respiratory acidosis is an important step in evaluating whether your baby’s condition resulted from a preventable error or a natural complication.
Causes of fetal acidemia
Several medical and obstetric factors can lead to fetal acidemia, many of which healthcare providers should identify and address promptly:
- Umbilical cord compression restricting blood flow to the placenta
- Placental insufficiency reducing oxygen transfer to the baby
- Uterine rupture during labor
- Maternal trauma or preeclampsia affecting the blood supply
- Prolonged or unaddressed signs of fetal distress during labor
In many birth injury cases, electronic fetal monitoring shows clear signs of distress that are missed or ignored. Under guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), persistent abnormal readings should prompt immediate action, such as an emergency C-section. When medical professionals fail to act despite these warning signs, it may constitute medical negligence.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Healthcare providers can detect fetal acidemia through several indicators:
- Abnormal fetal heart tracings showing late decelerations or minimal variability
- Poor muscle tone or unresponsiveness after birth
- Cord blood pH analysis showing acidity
- Need for immediate resuscitation after delivery
- Early seizures or signs of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
Hospitals are expected to perform and document cord blood testing for all high-risk deliveries. Missing or incomplete records regarding fetal heart monitoring or cord blood analysis may indicate negligence and strengthen a birth injury lawsuit.
✔️ For Maryland residents, the Maryland Department of Health’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau offers resources for families affected by birth complications. They provide a maternal health hotline (1-800-456-8900) that can connect families with services and information.
Treatment of fetal acidemia
When fetal acidemia is detected, timely medical intervention can help reduce the risk of long-term injury. Common treatment options include:
- Emergency C-section: Performed to quickly deliver the baby when signs of fetal distress are identified. Swift action is essential to restore the oxygen supply and prevent further complications.
- Immediate resuscitation: Includes assisted ventilation, oxygen delivery, and medications to stabilize the baby’s heart and breathing after birth.
- Therapeutic hypothermia (cooling therapy): Used within the first 6 hours after birth for babies with moderate to severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. This treatment lowers the baby’s body temperature to reduce brain inflammation and limit further injury.
Delayed intervention after signs of fetal distress is a common factor in birth injury lawsuits. When medical teams fail to act on fetal monitoring data, preventable brain damage may occur.
Our experienced Maryland birth injury attorney can review your medical records, consult with medical experts, and determine whether medical negligence contributed to your child’s injury.
Complications of untreated fetal acidemia
When fetal acidemia is not promptly addressed, it can lead to serious complications:
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a type of brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation
- Cerebral palsy affecting muscle control and coordination
- Developmental delays impacting cognitive or physical abilities
- Organ dysfunction affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys, or liver
- Death in severe cases
⚠️ According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, fetal acidemia and HIE are major contributors to long-term neurodevelopmental disorders. The financial and emotional costs of these conditions can be overwhelming for families.
Can fetal acidemia be prevented?
With proper medical care, many cases of fetal acidemia are preventable. Effective prevention strategies include continuous electronic fetal monitoring during labor, swift decision-making regarding emergency c-sections, and appropriate management of high-risk pregnancies.
Obstetricians and labor and delivery teams should follow established protocols for monitoring fetal well-being and responding to signs of distress. When these protocols are followed correctly, many cases of fetal acidemia and resulting birth injuries can be avoided.
Hypothetical Scenario: A mother experiencing decreased fetal movement arrives at the hospital. Monitoring shows signs of fetal distress, but the medical team fails to act for over two hours. When the baby is finally delivered by emergency c-section, she has metabolic acidemia with a pH of 6.9 and is later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This delay in treatment could constitute medical negligence.
Do I have a medical malpractice claim for fetal acidemia?
Not all cases of fetal acidemia result from medical negligence. However, you may have grounds for a birth injury lawsuit if you can demonstrate that:
- Healthcare providers failed to properly monitor the fetus during labor
- Signs of fetal distress were visible but ignored or not addressed promptly
- There was an unnecessary delay in performing an emergency C-section
- Proper cord gas analysis was not performed or documented
- Your child has been diagnosed with HIE, cerebral palsy, or other conditions linked to oxygen deprivation
At Frank Spector Law, we have decades of experience holding hospitals accountable for delivery room mistakes. Our legal team understands the medical complexities involved in fetal acidemia cases and is committed to helping families secure justice and financial support for their child’s future.
Call us at 443-845-1456 or reach out through our contact form to schedule your free consultation. We’ll review your case with care and fight for the justice your family deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal fetal blood pH level?
The normal umbilical artery pH at birth ranges from 7.25 to 7.35. A pH below 7.20 is considered acidemic and may indicate that the baby experienced some degree of stress during labor. When the pH falls below 7.00, it signals severe metabolic acidemia, which is strongly associated with an increased risk of brain injury, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
Can fetal acidemia cause lifelong brain damage?
Yes, severe or prolonged fetal acidemia can cause permanent brain damage. When the fetus experiences significant oxygen deprivation, brain cells begin to die, potentially leading to conditions like cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, seizure disorders, and developmental delays.
The severity of these outcomes often depends on the duration and extent of the oxygen deprivation, as well as how quickly medical intervention occurred.
Is it always malpractice?
No, not all cases of fetal acidemia constitute medical malpractice. Some cases may occur despite proper medical care, especially in high-risk pregnancies or when complications develop suddenly.
However, when healthcare providers fail to follow the standard of care, such as not properly monitoring the fetus, missing clear signs of distress, or delaying necessary interventions, it may constitute medical negligence.
Who’s responsible: doctor, nurse, or hospital?
Responsibility for birth injuries related to fetal acidemia may lie with multiple parties. The obstetrician directing the labor and delivery, the nurses monitoring fetal heart rates, and the hospital itself may all bear some liability.
In some cases, the hospital may be responsible for inadequate staffing or failing to have proper protocols in place. Our law firm conducts thorough investigations to identify all potentially responsible parties.
What evidence do I need to file a case?
Strong birth injury cases typically require:
- Medical records documenting the pregnancy, labor, and delivery
- Fetal monitoring strips showing signs of distress
- Cord blood gas results indicating acidemia
- Medical expert testimony establishing that the standard of care was breached
- Documentation of your child’s resulting injuries and ongoing needs
Our experienced birth injury attorneys work with medical experts to gather and analyze this evidence, building the strongest possible case for your family.
