Marginal Cord Insertion: When a Missed Diagnosis Becomes Medical Negligence

Marginal cord insertion (MCI) is when the umbilical cord is improperly attached to the placenta during pregnancy, which has the potential to slow the flow of nutrients from mother to developing baby. This, in turn, can lead to a number of issues, including intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, intrapartum distress, and a decelerated heart rate.

But while most cases of MCI result in a healthy birth, it’s important to note that it requires consistent monitoring by medical professionals. In some cases, the problem may correct itself, but since no treatment exists for MCI, your doctor should monitor fetal growth and understand how to offset any developmental complications and prevent birth defects.

If your doctor fails to properly diagnose or treat MCI, there’s a good chance you have a personal injury suit on your hands. Here we’ll discuss when a missed diagnosis becomes medical negligence and any actionable steps you can take.

When MCI is Diagnosed and Managed

Typically, MCI is identified in the second trimester of pregnancy via an ultrasound. If your caregivers notice something is wrong with the blood flow through the umbilical cord, they’ll alert the doctor, who will then perform follow-up tests and work with you to develop a treatment plan. 

These tests may include:

• Serial growth scans
• Doppler evaluation/ultrasound
• Antenatal surveillance

Prudent healthcare providers will perform these tests if they notice growth lag (when the developing baby grows slower than expected), decreased fetal movement, abnormal Dopplers, and others.

If MCI is indeed the issue, you can expect to be more heavily monitored. MCI unfortunately can’t be fixed, so if everything else is normal, it’s possible that no action is necessary. However, if concerns start to develop, an early delivery via C-section may be recommended.

When a Missed or Mishandled MCI Becomes Medical Negligence in Illinois

There are some situations in which an MCI becomes medical negligence. In the State of Illinois, there are four main criteria that must first be met in order to be viable for a personal injury or wrongful death suit:

• Duty of care: Your medical team (OB/GYN, hospital staff, etc.) has a legal duty to comply with the standard of care, which means that they must act as a reasonably careful doctor would under the same or similar circumstances. 
• Breach of care: One or more of your medical providers violates the standard of care by doing something that a reasonably careful doctor would not do, or by failing to do something that a reasonably careful doctor should do.  
• Causation: The breach of the standard of care caused an injury or death. 
• Damage: Injury to the mother, a neonatal injury, or fetal death.

Essentially, if doctors fail to administer proper care, which results in injury or death, chances are that you have a valid lawsuit on your hands. However, it’s always recommended to consult with a personal injury attorney if you think you’ve been wronged by your healthcare providers.

While each situation is unique, there are some common ways in which breach of care happens. These include failure to notice the MCI or communicate it to the patient, failure to plan for growth surveillance despite finding an MCI, or failing to document or provide informed consent for monitoring options.

What To Do If You Suspect a Missed MCI Diagnosis in Illinois

First and foremost, get in touch with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. They’ll help you get your ducks in a row to preserve/collect evidence and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. If possible, save or download all ultrasound images, MyChart messages with your doctor, discharge instructions, and other medical records pertaining to your pregnancy. Write down a comprehensive timeline and list out all providers and facilities in which you’ve received treatment.

Time is of the essence to preserve and collect evidence.

Brian Lewis is Here to Help

If you or a loved one believe you’ve experienced medical malpractice, give me a call today. I’ve helped hundreds of clients receive millions of dollars in damages to cover medical bills, lost wages, and more. 

Throughout my career, I’ve become knowledgeable on Illinois laws, hospital systems, insurance companies, and medical experts. I’ll build your case for you and connect with medical experts on your behalf so you can focus on what matters most: getting on the road to recovery.

The sooner you file a claim, the better. Don’t wait, get a free consultation today.