Legal Briefs: Arteriovenous Malformation Presenting as Intracranial Hemorrhage in a Preterm Infant

Abstract

A 1,910-g, 35-4/7 weeks’ gestation male infant was born by cesarean delivery due to breech position to a 33-year-old mother. He required vigorous stimulation and blow-by oxygen at birth. He was admitted to the newborn intensive care unit because of immaturity. His physical examination yielded normal results. He was always on room air and nippled all feeds. Except for some mild apnea, his course was unremarkable. Because of his prematurity, the neonatologist ordered cranial ultrasonography, which showed a parenchymal hemorrhage in the right parietal lobe. A computed tomography (CT) scan was obtained a few days later and confirmed the presence of the intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). The neonatologist requested a consultation with a neurologist because of the ICH. The neurologist did not view the scan or examine the baby but left word that he would see the infant as an outpatient. The infant was discharged from the hospital. Three months after discharge, the neurologist saw the infant in his office …