Birth-injured infants: legal definitions, claims frequency in Virginia

This review of claims supports the findings of an earlier study on the incidence of injuries defined by the Injured Infant Act. Assignment of children to Virginia's definition of injury was associated with death in the neonatal period and preexisting maternal conditions likely to contribute to a poor outcome. Expanding the definition was more likely to capture living children needing substantial assistance in all phases of daily living. Further refinement of the definition appears advisable to assure that those receiving support meet the Act's intent.