Folic Acid Deficiency & Legal Liability for Related Malpractice
The brain and spinal cord of a child evolve from a structure called the neural tube in a fetus. To develop properly, the neural tube needs an adequate supply of folic acid. Otherwise, it may not properly close, which may cause serious harm or even death. Foods such as citrus fruits and leafy greens contain folic acid, while some foods like bread, rice, or pasta may be enriched with this nutrient. However, a pregnant woman may need additional folic acid, since her diet may not provide enough to help her child develop.
Even if a woman consumes substantial quantities of folic acid, a deficiency in this nutrient may arise from various problems that prevent folic acid from being properly absorbed or used. Risk factors for folic acid deficiency include alcohol use and certain medications and genetic conditions. Diseases affecting the kidneys or the gastrointestinal tract may interfere with the absorption or use of folic acid. Cancer patients who receive dialysis also may suffer from folic acid deficiency. A doctor should note the presence of any risk factors and help a woman address them if she wants to have a child.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Folic Acid Deficiency
A lack of folic acid may affect both the mother and the child. Maternal symptoms usually do not result in permanent harm. They may include lethargy, diarrhea, loss of appetite, sores in the mouth, gray hair, and anemia. In contrast, a child may develop much more serious conditions that affect the brain and the spinal cord. A neural tube that fails to develop properly may result in anencephaly in extreme cases.
The other main consequence of folic acid deficiency for a baby is a spinal cord condition called spina bifida. This means that the spinal cord is exposed due to incomplete development of the backbone. The nerves in the area also may have sustained damage. Unlike children with anencephaly, children with spina bifida can survive their condition and lead fulfilling lives, but treatment may be onerous and expensive. They may develop conditions such as partial paralysis, numbness in their extremities, and intellectual disabilities.
Preventing Folic Acid Deficiency
Time is of the essence in identifying a risk of folic acid deficiency. Since the neural tube develops at the beginning of pregnancy, any defects may arise before a woman knows that she is pregnant. Thus, a doctor may not be able to prevent a child from developing a condition such as spina bifida if folic acid deficiency is not addressed before pregnancy. If a woman tells her doctor that she wants to start a family, though, they can perform a blood test to assess the risk of folic acid deficiency. A doctor then can suggest supplements and lifestyle changes to reduce the risk.
Compensation for Medical Malpractice Involving Folic Acid Deficiency
Urging a woman to take folic acid supplements or adjust her diet when she is trying to get pregnant may seem straightforward. Most doctors will address this issue properly, preventing potentially dire consequences. When a doctor overlooks a risk of folic acid deficiency, and a child is born with a condition like spina bifida, the doctor may be liable for medical malpractice.
Expert testimony usually plays a central role in birth injury claims and other cases based on medical malpractice. Most people who are not trained in the medical field would not know what a doctor should have done in a certain situation. Therefore, medical experts must explain the steps that the defendant should have followed and describe how the defendant deviated from them. When a child suffers from a permanent disability, experts also can discuss the impact of the disability on each area of their life. A family may recover compensation for medical expenses, the costs of future treatment, and non-economic harm, such as the pain and suffering that the child endured. An experienced birth injury lawyer can help them build a strategy to maximize their compensation.
