New Jersey Spina Bifida Lawyers

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is a birth injury that involves damage to the spine and the nervous system tissue that surrounds the spinal cord. The cause of spina bifida is not fully understood, although physicians attribute its cause to a combination of genetic inheritance and environmental factors during fetal development in the womb. Approximately one out of every 1,000 pregnancies result in babies being born with spina bifida, although the number of children born with spina bifida has declined over the years as the result of improved pre-natal care and screening, including ultrasound testing. Research indicates that taking prenatal vitamins including Folic Acid (a type of B vitamin) can help prevent nearly 70% of spina bifida cases.

Spina bifida is classified as a "neural tube defect" manifested by abnormal development of the vertebrae and nerves of the spine. Consequently, nerve impulses sent throughout the body are interrupted or otherwise altered, affecting muscle, organ and other bodily functions. Those afflicted may have difficulty walking, loss of sensation in the legs, varying degrees of incontinence, renal or kidney dysfunction or failure, and possibly brain dysfunction.

Spina bifida can be detected before a child is born. Prenatal screening and testing, including ultrasounds, AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) testing followed by Amniocentesis and/or Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS) if indicated, and MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) scans and CT (Computed tomography) scans can be performed. It is essential that proper prenatal care and screening be provided to expectant parents; this includes a detailed family history and history of the circumstances pertaining to prior pregnancies.

Failing to obtain indicated prenatal tests and/or misinterpreting test results may constitute medical negligence. Proper and timely prenatal testing, and and accurate reporting of test results, affords parents every possible chance to determine the course of the pregnancy and/or to make preparations to provide the requisite care which their afflicted child will need.

If your doctor, midwife or nurse practioner failed to provide proper prenatal care, did not request the appropriate prenatal screening tests, or, the results of those tests were misinterpreted, contact the New Jersey wrongful birth attorneys at Blume Goldfaden. Our skilled birth injury attorneys will carefully evaluate the circumstances of the care you received and will determine if your possible claim is meritorious. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a no cost consultation.