Life Care Planner Discusses Lifetime Care Requirements for Brain Damaged Infant

This case involves the neonatal care of a boy who was born under the circumstances of a prolonged delivery. At birth doctors obtained an APGAR score of 7 and the child was observed for a day and a half, after which he was discharged to home, allegedly jaundiced. He was brought for evaluation by a pediatrician who diagnosed the baby with jaundice. He was readmitted to the hospital and was administered a transfusion. An MRI was conducted, and he was diagnosed with severe brain damage. A follow-up MRI reconfirmed the presence of brain damage. The child will require a lifetime of ongoing care, and was assessed by a life care planner in order to project the expense of this care throughout his life.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Do you routinely assess long-term needs for pediatric patients that have endured similar birth complications?

2. Are you familiar with the neurospychological and cognitive limitations that may evolve from clinical diagnoses such as those described in this case?

Expert Witness Response E-080381

Pediatric LCP's of this nature are complicated. There is a need to work with a physician that can tie everything together, preferably a pediatric physiatrist. A home visit is necessary. If you desire an opinion regarding lost earning capacity I need to be able to evaluate parents and have access to sibling information regarding their education thus far. I have developed numerous pediatric LCP's over the last 20+ years. These plans have been related to birth injury or trauma. In my practice I do a considerable amount of school transition planning. I work with neuropsychologist's and their reports frequently. This case will require a great deal of care, due to the extensive nature of the child's injuries as well is the extended period of time over which he will require ongoing care.