Folic acid is a vitamin necessary before conception and in the early stages of pregnancy for prevention of folic acid disorders in their babies. The CDC recommends that women take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. Common folic acid disorders include Neural Tube Disorder (NTD), premature birth, and miscarriage. If you or your child suffered the consequences of a folic acid disorder, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
Contact the Ohio folic acid disorder attorneys at The Becker Law Firm for a free consultation. Call 216-621-3000.
Types of Folic Acid Disorders
Folic acid disorders common in newborn babies include:
- Anencephaly: Babies with anencephaly have an underdeveloped brain and skull. This occurs in one out of every 10,000 births and it is usually fatal very early in a baby’s life.
- Cleft Lip and Palate: A gap, typically in the upper lip; it is easily correctable with surgery.
- Heart Defects: These can range greatly in degree and severity, as can the likelihood of lifelong problems or wrongful death.
There are about 3,000 pregnancies complicated by neural tube defects every year in the United States. The March of Dimes estimates that as many as 70% of all folic acid disorders could be prevented with sufficient amounts of folic acid.
Medical Malpractice Causing Folic Acid Disorders
By the time a folic acid disorder is detected, it is usually too late to prevent the injury. That is why doctors must inform their patients of the importance of folic acid and must regularly discuss the importance of that vitamin. They must also be able to determine whether their patients have a sufficient folic acid intake. Most women should take folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy.
If your doctor failed to inform you about the importance of folic acid during your pregnancy and your child has some type of neural tube defect (NTB), contact our Ohio birth injury lawyers at The Becker Law Firm. We have experience trying birth injury and medical malpractice cases across the country.
Call 216-621-3000 to schedule your free initial consultation.
