Can labor drugs such as Pitocin and Cytotec cause hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)?

Birth injuries are heartbreaking and life-altering for families. What should be one of the happiest times—welcoming a child into the world—can quickly turn into a traumatic, stressful situation when improper or negligent medical care causes harm. Birth injuries like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are often preventable, and they can leave families grappling with the emotional and financial consequences for years to come.

In cases involving labor drugs such as Pitocin and Cytotec, the risks associated with their misuse or overuse can be severe. These medications, designed to speed up labor, can lead to dangerous complications, including uterine hyperstimulation, oxygen deprivation, and HIE. Families impacted by these tragedies deserve answers; legal support can help them navigate this difficult journey.

ABC Law Centers connects families across the United States with experienced birth injury lawyers who understand the complexities of medical malpractice claims involving birth injuries. If your family has been affected by the misuse of labor drugs, a local attorney from ABC Law Centers’ network can help guide you through the legal process and fight for justice.

How Pitocin and Cytotec Can Lead to Birth Injuries

Pitocin (synthetic oxytocin) and Cytotec (synthetic prostaglandin) are commonly used to induce labor or speed up the process when labor isn’t progressing naturally. However, both drugs carry significant risks when not administered with extreme care.

Both of these drugs can cause a condition called uterine tachysystole (sometimes referred to as hyperstimulation and hypertonus). Hyperstimulation occurs when these dugs cause contractions to be too frequent, strong, or long-lasting.

The blood vessels, the placenta, and the uterus are under continues pressure from contractions. This can reduce blood flow from the placenta to the umbilical cord and baby, depriving the child of oxygen-rich blood and increasing the risk of permanent brain damage, including HIE>

When insufficient oxygen-rich blood is reaching the baby, the baby can become oxygen deprived, causing permanent brain damage known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). In addition to HIE, babies born under these conditions may develop other serious complications, such as cerebral palsy, intraventricular hemorrhages, and developmental delays. These injuries can profoundly impact the child’s quality of life and create a lifetime of medical care and support needs for families.

Pitocin and Cytotec: What Makes Them Risky?

Pitocin, although widely used, has been recognized as one of the most dangerous medications in labor and delivery. In fact, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices classified Pitocin as a “high alert” drug, indicating that its misuse is linked to preventable adverse outcomes, particularly in childbirth. Pitocin is the drug most commonly associated with preventable adverse events during childbirth. Studies show that Pitocin-induced contractions can become too close together (less than 2-3 minutes apart), reducing the baby’s oxygen supply and leading to HIE.

Cytotec (misoprostol), while approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating stomach ulcers, is not approved for labor induction. This is the only approved use of Cytotec. Despite this, many doctors use it off-label to induce labor. This is dangerous for several reasons:

• Lack of Approval for Labor: Cytotec was never intended for use in labor induction. The manufacturer, Searle, and the FDA have issued warnings against using Cytotec for this purpose, highlighting the risks of uterine hyperstimulation and other complications.
• Difficulty in Discontinuing: The dosage and method of Cytotec administration raises additional safety concerns. Unlike other labor induction drugs (such as Pitocin and Cervidil), which can be quickly stopped if necessary, Cytotec is administered vaginally in pill form. The pill is typically cut into quarters, with one quarter inserted every four hours. Every pregnant woman and baby is different, however, and there is no way to predict how they will tolerate Cytotec. Unfortunately, if the mother or baby has an adverse reaction to the drug, it cannot be rapidly discontinued like other labor induction drugs by turning off an IV or removing an insert) since the medication is absorbed into the body.

Risk of Ruptured Uterus

When used together, Pitocin and Cytotec can create a dangerous combination, especially when the mother’s cervix isn’t ready for labor. In addition to hyperstimulation, use of these drugs (either together or separately) can cause the uterus (womb) to rupture due to stress from contractions. 

A ruptured uterus can cause severe bleeding in the mother and deprive the baby of oxygen, leading to life-threatening situations for both. If the tear is at the placenta, or if there is a complete tear, the baby may be totally cut off from circulation. This is an obstetrical emergency requiring an emergency C-section.

Video: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Lawyers Discuss HIE, Pitocin, and Cytotec

In this video, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) lawyers Jesse Reiter and Rebecca Walsh discuss the causes of HIE, which include misuse of Pitocin and Cytotec and a delayed delivery when the baby is in distress.

The Importance of Informed Consent

When Pitocin or Cytotec are used, it is imperative that the physician thoroughly explain the reason for using the drugs, as well as the risks, benefits, and alternatives to their use. 

In addition, types of delivery (vaginal birth versus C-section) must be thoroughly explained to the mother, along with the risks and benefits of both modes of delivery, to ensure informed consent. Physicians who fail to explain these risks adequately or who do not follow the appropriate standard of care may be held liable for the resulting birth injuries.

Pitocin and Cytotec have long been recognized as dangerous, and researchers have concluded that a fetus’s well-being may be in jeopardy when Pitocin-induced hyperstimulation occurs during labor. Pitocin and Cytotec are to be used conservatively and in accordance with standards of care.  

In any situation where Pitocin or Cytotec is used, continuous fetal monitoring is essential. Doctors must be vigilant in observing the baby’s response to labor, and any signs of distress should prompt immediate medical intervention, such as an emergency C-section. Failure to respond appropriately can lead to tragic outcomes, including HIE.

Pitocin and Cytotec in Non-Elective, Emergency Inductions

The use of labor-inducing drugs like Pitocin and Cytotec should be reserved for non-elective, emergency situations where inducing labor is medically necessary. These drugs are never appropriate for elective inductions or for use during vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC).,where the risks of uterine rupture and other complications are elevated.

When these drugs are used inappropriately or without proper monitoring, the results can be catastrophic. Families affected by birth injuries need experienced legal representation to help hold negligent healthcare providers accountable.

Signs and Symptoms of HIE in Newborns

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can be a devastating diagnosis for new parents. Early signs of HIE may include abnormal muscle tone (too stiff or too floppy), breathing problems (such as rapid or labored breathing), seizures, and feeding difficulties (trouble sucking or swallowing). Babies with HIE may also display poor reflexes or an altered level of consciousness.

Early detection of HIE is critical because prompt medical intervention can reduce the severity of brain damage. Treatments such as therapeutic hypothermia (cooling the baby’s body temperature) can minimize brain injury if administered within the first hours after birth. Identifying the signs of HIE early can help doctors develop a treatment plan that improves the baby’s long-term outlook and quality of life.

The Long-Term Impact of HIE on Children and Families

Children diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) may face long-term challenges, including cognitive impairments, motor dysfunction, and developmental delays. These complications can affect a child’s ability to learn, communicate, and perform daily tasks, sometimes requiring lifelong care. 

The emotional, physical, and financial toll on families is immense. Parents often must navigate specialized medical treatments, therapy, and adaptive equipment, all while coping with the emotional strain of seeing their child struggle. These circumstances can significantly impact the entire family, creating financial pressures and emotional hardships.

Legal Recourse for Families Affected by HIE

Families whose child was diagnosed with HIE due to the misuse of labor drugs, such as Pitocin or Cytotec, may be entitled to seek compensation through a medical malpractice claim. These claims can help families recover damages for medical expenses, including hospital bills, ongoing treatments, and necessary therapies. Additionally, compensation may cover long-term care needs, adaptive equipment, and home modifications. 

Families can also seek damages for emotional suffering and loss of quality of life. A local birth injury attorney, connected through ABC Law Centers, can guide families through the legal process, working to ensure they receive the financial support they need to care for their child’s future.

Connecting Families with Experienced Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Lawyers

The award-winning hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyers at ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers have decades of experience helping families with Pitocin, Cytotec, and HIE cases.  If your labor was induced using Pitocin or Cytotec and your child has been diagnosed with HIE or other permanent disabilities, we can help. We have been helping children affected by HIE for nearly three decades and are very skilled at handling the complex issues involved with infant medical malpractice cases. 

The consequences of medical negligence during labor are devastating, but you don’t have to face this journey alone. A birth injury lawyer from ABC Law Centers can review your case, help determine whether medical malpractice occurred, and guide you through the legal process to hold the responsible parties accountable. Please reach out today for a free review. We charge nothing unless we secure compensation for you and your family.