Over 23,000 infant deaths occurred in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s almost six infants out of every 1,000 born dying before their first birthday. Over half (57%) of these deaths occurred due to five leading causes:
- Birth defects
- Preterm birth (before 37 weeks) and low birth weight
- Maternal complications of pregnancy
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Injuries (suffocation, etc.).
Birth defects top the list of leading causes of death with more than 5,500 infants dying each year from birth defects—more than twice as many as from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. And tragically, the babies who survive and live with birth defects have an increased risk for lifelong physical, mental, and societal challenges.
What are Birth Defects?
The CDC cites defects ranging from head malformations, Anencephaly and Spina bifida, defects of the heart, stomach, & intestines, muscles & bones, as well as defects caused by full or partial extra chromosomes such as Down Syndrome.
The National Birth Defects Prevention Networks estimates $2.6 billion spent on hospital bills annually to treat birth defects; this huge amount of money is in addition to any emotional and physical toll that having a child with a birth defect can have on the parents.
What Are the Causes of Birth Defects?
A defect can potentially develop at any time during the pregnancy, according to the CDC. Some have very clear causes—as with fetal alcohol syndrome. With others, babies have a normal gestation and their birth defect is caused by a medical errors or doctor’s negligence during delivery.
What Can I do to Prevent Birth Defects?
Preconception health means all the things females can take before, during, and after pregnancy to increase the chances they will deliver a healthy child. The CDC outlines the following actions:
- Take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily
- Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
- Be physically active.
- No tobacco use.
- No excessive amounts of alcohol, and absolutely no illicit drugs.
- Be screened for chronic diseases, including depression.
- Visit your doctor for exams, screenings, and vaccinations, to discuss any medications taken, and talk about how these things may affect the woman and her fetus before becoming pregnant.
- Learn about family history and how this may affect risks for mother and child
How can a Doctor Cause Birth Defects?
Untreated infections during pregnancy, certain medications taken by a pregnant mother, accidents during birth including hypoxia or trauma to the brain—all of these can lead to birth defects and be a result of negligence.
Brachial plexus injury, cerebral palsy, gestational diabetes, mental retardation—all of these and more can result from medical negligence.
Has your child been injured or have a birth defect due to medical negligence?
If your child has been injured or has a birth defect due to suspected medical negligence, you can receive compensation for the damages suffered, your medical expenses, and the future cost of care for the injured child. Before you speak with an insurance company, hospital, or medical firm, the attorneys at Thomas and Pearl want to speak to you.
$150 MILLION in verdicts and settlements
Birth defects can lead to lifelong complications, even death. This is especially tragic with the death of a child under the age of one.
Thomas & Pearl attorneys have the skills and training, plus the financial resources necessary to take on the big companies, and to negotiate settlements favorable for our clients. And Thomas & Pearl Attorneys will absolutely litigate to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
Ask about our experience as attorneys helping victims of medical negligence.
Ask about the more than $150M (MILLION) dollars in recent and past jury verdicts and settlements we have gained for our clients.
We’ll evaluate your case situation with you, develop a strategy to win or successfully negotiate the highest amount of compensation for you.
Experienced legal help can make the difference between a successful resolution and losing in court. And you pay nothing unless we get that successful resolution for you.
Contact Thomas & Pearl at any time.
Contact Thomas & Pearl Injury Attorneys. Fighting for Floridians. Call toll free 24/7 at 877-990-HELP (4357), or visit https://thomasandpearl.com/