Baxter Novum IQ Pump Recall: What Parents Should Know if Their Infant Was Exposed to This Dangerous Device

Infants in neonatal intensive care units rely on precise intravenous infusions for survival—but a recent recall by Baxter International reveals that a widely used infusion pump may be putting vulnerable newborns at risk.

Baxter has issued a Class I recall—the FDA’s most serious designation—for its Novum IQ large volume pump after the device was linked to a serious injury caused by under-infusion. According to the FDA, variability of just 10% in infusion delivery can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, inadequate drug therapy, and even death in infants. Yet Baxter has allowed over 34,500 affected units to remain in hospitals across the U.S. and Canada.

The Risk to Infants: Under-Infusion Can Be Catastrophic

The Novum IQ pump is designed to deliver life-sustaining fluids, blood, and medications. But when left in standby mode or powered off for extended periods while still loaded, the tubing set can compress, resulting in up to 50% less infusion than programmed—especially at higher flow rates. In infants and critically ill patients, this kind of discrepancy can have life-threatening consequences.

Even a 10% shortfall in infusion volume, as the FDA notes, may seriously compromise hydration, nutrition, and proper drug dosing in newborns. The highest-risk scenario tested by Baxter involved a 1200 mL/hour flow rate following 12 hours in standby, resulting in a 50% variance in delivery. While this is considered a worst-case scenario, infants are especially sensitive to even small dosing errors.

What if the Pump Is Still in Use at a Healthcare Facility?

Despite the recall, Baxter has not pulled the Novum IQ pumps from the market. Instead, it has issued updated instructions and training posters advising clinical staff to:

• Remove the set when the pump is turned off

• Avoid standby times over 2.5 hours when flow rates exceed 50 mL/hour

• Monitor patients frequently to detect signs of under-infusion

Unfortunately, these precautions may not always be followed—or may come too late for affected patients.

If your infant or loved one suffered complications in a healthcare facility that continued to use a recalled Baxter Novum IQ pump, you may have legal recourse.

Legal Options for Parents and Families

As attorneys focused on product liability and medical malpractice, we are investigating cases involving patients—particularly infants—who may have been harmed due to improper or continued use of the recalled Baxter Novum IQ pump. Hospitals have a duty to ensure that recalled or dangerous medical devices are removed from use or handled with extreme care. Failure to do so may constitute medical negligence or gross misconduct.

You may have a valid claim if:

• Your infant or family member suffered dehydration, hypovolemia, malnutrition, or unexplained complications during treatment involving intravenous fluids or medications

• A Novum IQ pump was used in the hospital during this time

• The hospital failed to remove the pump or follow Baxter’s updated safety guidelines

Contact a Top-Rated Medical Device Lawyer Today

If you suspect your child was harmed by a faulty or improperly used infusion pump, you should speak to an attorney immediately. Our team of experienced product liability and medical malpractice attorneys has handled complex cases involving defective medical devices and dangerous pharmaceutical equipment.

Call 212-943-1090 for a free consultation, or visit our product liability litigation page to learn more about your rights. We represent families in New York  in holding manufacturers and negligent medical providers accountable.

Image: Courtesy of FDA