Diagnosing medical conditions in young children can be challenging. Children often struggle to express what they are feeling, and many symptoms can resemble common childhood illnesses.
Doctors must be especially careful when evaluating young patients. Mistakes can happen, but when does a mistake cross the line into medical malpractice?
Diagnosing children is different
Unlike adults, young children may not be able to describe pain, discomfort or changes in how they feel. They may cry, sleep more than usual or seem fussy. These signs could be linked to many different conditions. It takes experience, time and close attention to notice when something more serious may be happening. If a doctor rushes through an exam or overlooks key symptoms, the result can be a missed diagnosis.
The risks of a delayed or missed diagnosis
When a diagnosis is delayed, a child’s condition can worsen quickly. In some cases, this leads to permanent injury or serious complications. For example, a misdiagnosed case of bacterial meningitis could allow the infection to spread, resulting in brain damage, hearing loss or even death. These risks show why doctors need to be extra cautious when treating infants and young children.
When a medical mistake becomes malpractice
Not every missed diagnosis is considered malpractice. However, if a doctor fails to act with the care expected of a trained professional, it may be a legal issue. Ignoring symptoms, dismissing a parent’s concerns or failing to order routine tests could all be signs of negligence.
If your child was harmed because a doctor failed to diagnose a condition, you may have a claim. Seeking legal guidance will help you take the next steps.
