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Spina bifida is the name for a range of common neural tube birth defects which affect up to 10% of babies born in the UK and the cause of most of these problems is unknown, however, some may be the result of a medical error, justifying a compensation case being made by a birth injury lawyer.
A deficiency in the pregnant mother's folic acid levels are believed to be one of the principal reasons for a baby being born with a "split spine", which can lead to varying degrees of disability.
Genetic disorders and a mother's obesity or diabetes are other potential risk factors in the likelihood of spina bifida or its related side effects occurring.
Some researchers have also suggested anti-convulsant drugs, such as those prescribed for treating epilepsy, or medications to alleviate bipolar disorder, could be implicated in the malformation of the foetus' spinal column.
Because of this variety of possible causes of spina bifida, which can vary from being totally life-limiting to having little effect on every-day activities, doctors and other medical professionals monitoring pregnant woman and potential mothers with pre-existing or potential health difficulties should be well aware of the need for testing.
A GP or specialist who is regularly seeing a woman with epilepsy, for example, should provide suitable advice, alternative drugs or other treatment and checks to reduce to the minimum the chance of a baby suffering from spina bifida or related conditions such as hydrocephalus.
Even for those without a previously-indicated likelihood of delivering a damaged child, regular blood tests should look for folic acid levels being maintained in a safe range and, with today's sophisticated techniques, there is no excuse for checks being ignored or results not acted upon.
Surgery performed within two days of birth can often correct the most common type of spina bifida, without any lasting damage but in other cases there can be damaged limbs, or permanent paralysis, with bladder and bowel difficulties, which will entail ongoing medical treatment and extra physical care for the sufferer.
Depending on the cause of the spina bifida and if its origin can be proved, a birth injury lawyer will be able to advise parents if they have a justified case for compensation against a pharmaceutical company or health professional who had been negligent in prescribing a risky drug to a pregnant woman.
A case for medical negligence may be appropriate if tests have not been carried out or done incorrectly and an unexpectedly-disabled child is born.
Birth injury lawyers at YouClaim
If you and your family have been affected by the birth of a child with spina bifida, you may wish to consult a birth injury lawyer from YouClaim to assess the possibility of seeking compensation to help ease the financial burden of looking after a handicapped person.
With YouClaim, you are in safe, sympathetic and experienced hands. All our personal injury lawyers are supervised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, ensuring the highest standards.
Thanks to the internet, we are able to offer the same quality of service wherever you live in the UK.
To find out about our birth injury lawyer service, you can complete the online claim form or call to speak to one of our legal team on 0800 10 757 95
