Injured Infants Act: study compares definition, newborn records

In a study of a teaching hospital's newborn records 1986-1987, the definition of severe neurological injury in Virginia's Injured Infants Act was found to be associated with neonatal death, prematurity, and a preexisting maternal condition likely to contribute to poor outcome. The incidence of severe neurologic injury did not approach the prevalence of severe mental retardation and cerebral palsy. Thus the ability of the Act to preempt litigation substantially is questionable, the authors state, and they recommend a broader definition.