Toxoplasmosis When Pregnant Can Seriously Hurt Your Baby

Were You Told How To Avoid Being Infected with Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy?

For the majority of us, becoming infected with toxoplasmosis will not cause any life altering problems. In fact, toxoplasmosis is one of the most common infections in the world. It is estimated that over 60 million people in the United States are infected with toxoplasmosis.

However, if a woman becomes infected with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, it can lead to premature labor, a still birth or serious mental or physical impairments in a newborn. It is estimated that up to 4,000 babies in the United States are born infected with the toxoplasmosis infection each year. Newborns that are infected with toxoplasmosis can develop eye infections, an enlarged liver, an enlarged spleen, jaundice or yellowing of the skin, kernicterus, pneumonia or lung damage, blindness, mental retardation, developmental delays, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, seizures, hearing loss or deafness, as well as many other mental and physical disabilities. Toxoplasmosis can also lead to premature labor or a stillborn.

During a pregnant woman’s prenatal visit, she may be informed by the doctor, obstetrician or nurse practitioner, to not change kitty litter since toxoplasmosis can be excreted in a cat’s urine or feces. However, there are many other ways that a pregnant mother can become infected with the toxoplasmosis parasite. Pregnant women can also become infected with toxoplasmosis if they eat food, drink water, or have contact with soil or mulch that was infected by a cat. A child’s sandbox is also another frequent place that is contaminated with toxoplasmosis because cats use sandboxes just as they would their litter box. Toxoplasmosis is also present in raw or inadequately cooked or raw meat. Animals become infected with the toxoplasmosis parasite, the same way people do; by eating or drinking something that was infected with the toxoplasmosis parasite. The only way to kill the parasite is to completely cook the meat.

Unfortunately, many pregnant women or women who are thinking about becoming pregnant are not fully informed by their doctor, obstetrician or nurse practitioner on the seriousness of a toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy and how to avoid it. Most are just told to stay away from a cats litter box. That information is just not enough.

If you or your baby have been seriously injured due to a toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy, you may be eligible for compensation. Our experienced medical and legal teams here at the Philadelphia Beasley medical malpractice law firm have over 60 years of experience with toxoplasmosis infections in a newborn. Our experienced teams have had billions awarded on behalf of our injured clients. Please feel free to call our birth injury lawyers in Philadelphia toll free for a risk free, no fee and confidential consultation. Our doctors, nurses, and lawyers really do understand what you are going through and we are here to help you.