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Two infants died at the Christus Spohn Hospital South in Corpus Christi, Texas after allegedly being given an overdose of heparin, the controversial blood thinner that has created so much media attention in the past year.

What happened?

A couple’s newborn twins were brought to Christus Spohn Hospital South in Corpus Christi, Texas only a few days after being delivered on July 1, 2008 for respiratory problems due to being born prematurely. According to news reports, the twins, a girl and a boy, were mistakenly given 10,000 units of heparin instead of a much lower dose (studies suggest that 10 units is considered a normal dose for infants) and died. The hospital acknowledged the error occurred in the mixing process, but is not sure whether the heparin overdose was ultimately responsible for the infants’ deaths.

Several news agencies have reported that other infants at the hospital may have also been given heparin overdoses and one lawsuit has already been filed. The issue of heparin overdoses and children has created a great deal of controversy in the past year – especially after actor Dennis Quaid’s newborn twins were subject to a similar situation last year. Quaid has testified before Congress about the issue and filed a lawsuit against one of the major suppliers of heparin to the U.S. market.

Dennis Quaid speaks out

Dennis Quaid testified in front of Congress about how his newborn twins were given adult dosages of heparin instead of doses meant for infants. While his children survived unharmed, he and his wife, Kimberly Buffington, filed a lawsuit against Baxter International Inc, one of the major suppliers of heparin in the United States, alleging that it labeled its products in a confusing manner which may cause overdoses of the drug in children leading to serious injury or death.

If you or your child has been injured by heparin, contact an attorney who has been following the heparin controversy and whose practice focuses in this area of the law. Consultations are free, without obligation and are strictly confidential. To contact an experienced attorney, please click here. We may be able to help.