After waiting for months for the birth of a child, a parent will likely welcome a change of pace like changing diapers. The stools of an infant can be very informative in determining the health of a child. If a parent discovers that their child has consistent foul or greasy stools, this could be an indication of a more serious condition. If your child is exhibiting foul-smelling or greasy stools due to a birth injury, you should consult with an experienced Miami attorney for birth injury causing abnormal stool today.
Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA are committed to providing our clients with the aggressive legal representation that they deserve. We recognize the burdens faced when a child suffers a birth injury, and we are here for you. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact the Law Offices of Prosper Shaked at (305) 694-2676. You can also contact the firm online.
Reasons an Infant May Have a Foul-Smelling Stool
A foul-smelling or greasy stool could indicate a variety of problems for an infant. Under some circumstances, it could mean that the infant is not receiving all the proper nutrients they need to develop. When this occurs, there are a number of reasons that can explain why a child is experiencing greasy or foul stools.
Cerebral Palsy
Greasy or foul-smelling stools could mean that a child may have developed cerebral palsy. It may seem like a jump to suggest that a child has cerebral palsy because of the smell of their stools. However, many children become malnourished at an early age because the symptoms of cerebral palsy prevent them from chewing food to start the digestion process. Cerebral palsy can affect the muscles of the face, which can make it difficult for a baby to consume food. As a result, the child’s stools may reflect that they are malnourished.
Cerebral palsy is a condition that may occur if a child suffers a brain injury before, during, or after their birth. This means that cerebral palsy can often be linked to medical malpractice due to a doctor failing to exercise due care when monitoring a mother’s pregnancy. For example, if a doctor fails to diagnose an infection contracted by a pregnant mother, and the unborn child suffers a brain injury due to the infection, they could be held liable for their actions.
It is important to note that unnatural stools are not enough to conclude that a baby has developed cerebral palsy. Parents should look for other symptoms of cerebral palsy that can help determine whether it is the cause of their child’s greasy stools. For example, noticing that a child moves in a spastic manner or has issues with muscle control can help determine whether they have developed cerebral palsy.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that causes the body to produce thick and sticky layers of mucus that block passages in the lungs and digestive system. The accumulation of this mucus can cause a child to have greasy stools due to its negative effects on a person’s digestive fluids.
Other signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis include lung infections, persistent coughing, inability to gain weight, and missing developmental growth milestones. If you notice that your child is experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, you should speak with an experienced doctor about your child’s condition.
Additionally, a baby could be suffering from pancreatic insufficiency, a condition that is related to cystic fibrosis. This condition prevents a child from digesting certain foods that contain protein or fats.
Lactose Intolerance
Foul-smelling or greasy stools can also be indicative of a less serious problem in comparison to cerebral palsy. In some cases, a child’s smelly stools can be the result of lactose intolerance. A person is lactose intolerant when their body cannot properly digest lactose found their formula and various other dairy products they may consume.
To learn more about the damages available if a medical practitioner caused a birth injury to your child that led to unnatural stools, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Miami birth injury lawyer.
Damages Available for Miami Birth Injury Lawsuit for Abnormal Stool
If you believe that your doctor was responsible for foul-smelling or greasy stool or other injuries to your child at birth in Miami, you should pursue a birth injury claim against that doctor. As mentioned, foul or greasy stools can be evidence that a child suffered an injury like cerebral palsy due to the negligence of a doctor. If this is true, a plaintiff can recover damages for their child if they are successful in their case.
If you are successful in a birth injury lawsuit against a doctor, you can receive compensation for your child’s injuries. For example, if you incurred thousands in medical bills having your child treated for cerebral palsy, you can recover compensation for those medical expenses. Other types of damages available include:
- Compensation for medical equipment or rehabilitation services and other economic damages
- Pain and suffering and similar non-economic damages
- Punitive damages that are awarded when a defendant acted egregiously when committing malpractice
Contact an Experienced Miami Attorney for Greasy or Foul Stools to Evaluate Your Claim
If your child was the victim of a birth injury and developed cerebral palsy, contact with an experienced Miami birth injury lawyer today. With several years of experience in a variety of birth injury claims, personal injury lawyer Prosper Shaked is here to fight for you. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact the Law Offices of Prosper Shaked at (305) 694-2676.