From humble beginnings helping dig potatoes on her grandfather's New Zealand farm, Terrie E. Inder has become a physician and professor of pediatrics, radiology and neurology. An international leader in researching infant brain injuries, she's driven to determine the impact of premature birth on both brain injury and development.
Inder's unquenchable thirst for knowledge began at a young age: she started medical school at a New Zealand university at age 16.
Now conducting research at Washington University School of Medicine, Inder has conducted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on more than 150 babies born prematurely to study how their brains may have been damaged. Her research sheds light on the causes of birth injuries.
Predicting Disabilities
According to Washington University, Inder's research published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows how she is able to use MRIs to determine brain abnormalities in preterm babies (born at 30 weeks or less) to predict cognitive and motor disabilities apparent by the age two.
Her imaging studies of at-risk, premature babies help forecast severe cognitive delays, cerebral palsy, psychomotor delays or visual or hearing impairments.
Cooling Therapy
Inder's research team also studies the effect of therapeutic cooling in full-term babies by reducing their body temperatures for three days. Inder has found that the cooling results in reducing risk of disability or death for babies who might have had too little oxygen around the time of their birth.
Dr. F. Sessions Cole, the vice chair of pediatrics at Washington University says Inder's groundbreaking research has very practical applications: "Thanks to [Inder's] work, we can more reliably discuss prognosis with families during the neonatal period and plan for the required follow-up of the baby."
Doctors Can Now Reduce Risks to Babies
Inder has made it possible for doctors to not only do early detection of possible brain injuries in infants, but also to reduce the risk of long-term harm to their ability to develop without disability.
Her hard work obviously deserves to be commended. Even more important, it should be studied by doctors, pediatricians, neonatal specialists and others tasked with reducing, preventing, diagnosing and treating brain injuries in infants. Failure by physicians to keep abreast of research and best practices is simply inexcusable; too often it results in preventable injuries to the most vulnerable among us.
In the Event of Negligence
If your baby has been harmed by negligence, substandard care or preventable medical error by a doctor, hospital or nurse, contact a
medical malpractice attorney experienced in litigating infant brain injury cases. A medical malpractice lawyer evaluates the facts of the case and helps you understand and pursue your best legal options.
From our law offices in Hackensack and Manhattan, Kirsch Gartenberg Howard LLP has served individuals and businesses across northern New Jersey, including Bergen County, Essex County, Union County, Middlesex County and Passaic County, and the five boroughs of New York City since 1984.
