Fetal tachycardia causes depend on your baby’s type of tachycardia. Fetal tachycardia happens when a baby’s heart rate exceeds 180 beats per minute. Some cases of fetal tachycardia are genetic, but some cases could be prevented with medical intervention.
Knowing what causes fetal tachycardia and the different types can help you know whether your baby’s distress was something unavoidable or if it could have been prevented. If it is the latter, our birth injury lawyers can determine your eligibility for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Causes of Sinus Fetal Tachycardia
Sinus fetal tachycardia happens when a baby’s heart rate reaches between 180 and 200 BPM, and there are no extreme abnormalities in the electrical signals of the heart rate. The baby has a normal heart, but something is causing it to speed up. It can be caused by:
- Fetal distress
- Fetal infection
- An infection in the mother’s uterus
- Fever in the mother
- Uncontrolled diabetes in the mother
- Stimulants, especially hard drugs like cocaine
- Fetal anemia
- Maternal hyperthyroidism
- Certain prescription medications
This is not the most common kind of fetal tachycardia, but it is one to be careful about because so many of the causes can be controlled. You may have a claim if your medical team did not catch these signs or warn you about what to avoid to keep your baby healthy.
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Causes of Supraventricular Fetal Tachycardia
This is the most common type of fetal tachycardia. The heart’s pump has two sides, moving blood between the upper and lower chambers. When both chambers beat faster than 200 BPM, this is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). SVT is a sign that something is wrong with the electrical signals going to the baby’s heart.
This is dangerous because the heart needs time to fill up with blood before pumping. It may not draw enough blood before pumping when it goes too fast. This can reduce blood and oxygen to body parts downstream from the heart. If untreated, it can also weaken the heart.
The cause of this type of fetal tachycardia could be extreme examples of the same causes as sinus tachycardia. Still, it’s more often caused by a problem with the heart’s electrical system or an underlying structural heart disease.
Other Causes of Fetal Tachycardia
The other types of fetal tachycardia are rare, and could be caused by:
- A problem in the structure of the baby’s heart
- Insufficient blood flow to the baby’s heart
- Genetic disorders
There are also instances of fetal tachycardia that have an unknown cause, which is known as an idiopathic cause in medical language.
Warning Signs of Fetal Tachycardia
Healthcare providers monitor your baby’s heart rate during pregnancy and labor through several methods. During routine checkups, they’ll use a Doppler device or fetoscope. During labor, they’ll use continuous fetal monitoring to track your baby’s heart rate.
Some signs that could indicate fetal tachycardia include:
- Sudden changes in fetal movement
- Decreased fetal movement
- Maternal symptoms like fever or rapid heartbeat
- Abnormal readings on fetal monitoring strips
If your medical team fails to recognize these warning signs or doesn’t take appropriate action, they may be liable for any resulting injuries to your baby.
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Complications of Untreated Fetal Tachycardia
When fetal tachycardia goes undiagnosed or untreated, it can lead to serious complications for your baby. The most significant risk is hydrops fetalis, a condition where fluid builds up in your baby’s tissues and organs.
Other potential complications include:
- Heart failure
- Brain damage from lack of oxygen
- Growth restrictions
- Premature birth
- Stillbirth
The severity of these complications often depends on how long the tachycardia persists and how quickly treatment begins.
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Treatment Options for Fetal Tachycardia
Your healthcare provider should develop a treatment plan based on several factors, including:
- The type of tachycardia
- How far along you are in your pregnancy
- The severity of the condition
- Your baby’s overall health
Common treatments include maternal medications that cross the placenta to reach your baby. In some cases, your doctor might recommend early delivery if the risks of continuing the pregnancy outweigh the risks of premature birth.
When Medical Negligence Contributes to Fetal Tachycardia
While some cases of fetal tachycardia are unavoidable, others result from medical negligence. Examples of negligence include:
- Your healthcare provider failing to monitor your baby’s heart rate appropriately during pregnancy or labor
- Not recognizing or responding to signs of maternal infection or other conditions that can cause tachycardia, such as failure to diagnose anemia during pregnancy
- Delaying necessary treatment when tachycardia is detected
- Prescribing medications known to cause fetal tachycardia without proper monitoring
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
Now that you know the causes of fetal tachycardia and which causes may be a sign of medical malpractice, you can decide whether you need to seek justice with the help of our birth injury lawyers.
Learn more about Birth Injury Lawyer and then contact us to discuss your case with our experienced birth injury lawyers. We’ll listen to your story compassionately and help you understand your legal options for financial compensation.
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