Legal Briefs: Infant With Interrupted Aortic Arch Sends Many Signals Before Discharge

A 3,330-g, 40-6/7-week-gestation male infant was delivered by a 35-year-old gravida 1 para 0 woman with an uncomplicated pregnancy. The infant was born via cesarean section because of failure to descend. Apgar scores were 8 and 9 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. The infant was sent to the normal nursery where the findings were normal until 4 hours after birth, when the axillary temperature was noted to be 96.8°F (36°C). The nurse did not notify the physician about the low temperature, but placed the infant under the radiant warmer. After he reached a normal temperature under the radiant warmer, the nurse brought the infant to the mother. The following temperature readings were low, and the mother complained that the infant's feet were cold and he was not feeding. The nurses reassured her and said it was “first-time mom anxiety.” The nurse put many layers of blankets, a hat, and...